ANA reports that wage negotiations in the gold mining sector will resume on Tuesday when the Minerals Council SA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) is expected to make a final salary increase offer to the four trade unions involved.  

Solidarity’s general secretary Gideon du Plessis said in a statement on Sunday that the council had so far been focusing only on so-called ‘category four to eight’ underground employees, “while the tradesmen and other senior miners have received a ridiculous offer of below the inflation rate, ranging from 3,5% (Sibanye-Stillwater), 4% (Village Main Reef) to 4,5% (Harmony and AngloGold Ashanti).”  The present offer to lower-category employees apparently varied from 6% to 7.2%.  “If the skilled employees again receive a lower offer than the lower-category employees on Tuesday chances are good that Solidarity’s members will reject it on principle,” Du Plessis indicated.  Solidarity’s present mandate from its members is for an increase equivalent to the consumer price inflation rate (CPI) plus four percent, but according to Du Plessis it would reconsider its position if the council should “come up with a favourable and equitable offer to skilled employees that will serve as recognition of the contribution made by these employees.”  Du Plessis also commented that the lack of innovation on the part of the council was a matter of concern and that a pragmatic approach linking a more favourable wage increase offer to increased production, productivity or skills development was lacking.

• Read this report in full at The Citizen
• Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page