BusinessLive reports that AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) was the first major gold producer to sign a three-year wage agreement with three unions, staving off the potential strike looming over three other gold producers.
Although AGA was one of four companies under the auspices of the Minerals Council SA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) involved in the talks with four unions, it was the first to reach an agreement after the unions declared disputes with Sibanye-Stillwater, Harmony Gold and Village Main Reef. But the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), representing nearly 33% of AGA’s 7,918 employees, has not signed the agreement. A new shift system included in the agreement was important for AGA’s loss-making Mponeng mine, said Chris Sheppard, the head of the SA business. AGA agreed to increase pay for its lowest-earning employees by R1,000 a month, which includes a R300 a month payment for agreeing to working the new shift arrangement in the first year. The second and third years of the deal would entail wages rising another R1,000 a month, respectively. Miners & Artisans and Officials will receive 6.5% for the first year and 6.5% or CPI, whichever is the greater, for the second and third years, respectively. Amcu has urged the other firms to follow AngloGold’s offer. With the unions in dispute with the other producers, talks are being facilitated by the CCMA.
- Read this report by Allan Seccombe in full at BusinessLive
- Read the MCSA’s press statement, which includes further details of the agreement, at Gold Wage Negotiations
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