Miningmx reports that trade union Solidarity has recommended that its members employed at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold division accept an improved offer tabled by the company.

It was earlier reported that Sibanye-Stillwater had revised its wage offer to four mining unions, including Solidarity, after proposing annual increases of nearly R1,000 in an effort to head off industrial action. “Solidarity cannot speak on behalf of other trade unions but will encourage its members to consider the new offer favourably,” said Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis. Sibanye-Stillwater revised its offer of increases of R570 to R670 for the lowest-paid employees to R800 for each of the three years, the reports indicated. According to the new proposal, so-called ‘miners, artisans and officials’ would receive salary increases of 5% for each of the three years. “It would appear as if an agreement may now be within reach with Sibanye-Stillwater after a marathon negotiation session last Friday,” said Du Plessis. Wage negotiations between the unions, which also included the National Union of Mineworkers, the Association of Mineworkers & Construction Union and Uasa, have been underway for about seven months. The unions, which had grouped together, had recently been granted a strike certificate by the CCMA. The unions will present the revised offer to their members, and, after finalisation of gold agreements, wage negotiations for Sibanye’s platinum mines will start.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
• Read too, Solidarity to urge members to accept Sibanye’s revised gold wage offer, at Mining Weekly
• Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity News

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