Mining Weekly reports that the third round of gold mining sector wage negotiations took place on Wednesday, at which the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) was peppered with questions by unions seeking to gain clarity about feedback on their demands.
The MCSA (previously known as the Chamber of Mines) was representing AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony, Sibanye-Stillwater and Village Main Reef, while employees were represented by Solidarity, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu). Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis reported that the queries related especially to the low opening offers made at the previous round of talks. The MCSA was further requested to put an end to its “tendency to provide erratic statistics since this merely creates distrust about the integrity of its figures, which almost led to the derailment of negotiations previously in 2015”. The various mining houses made presentations regarding their financial situations. Chief gold negotiator Motsamai Motlhamme urged the unions to narrow their demands, particularly non-wage demands, so that the producers could focus on improving wages "within the context of affordability". Negotiations will resume on 1 August
- Read this report in full at Mining Weekly
- Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity News
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page