Mining Weekly reports that after three months of negotiations, trade union Solidarity has reached a five-year wage agreement for its members employed by Assmang.

The agreement was concluded in collaboration with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Employees will receive a 6% wage increase in year one, followed by increases of 5.7% for each of the four subsequent years. However, employees will receive a consumer price index- (CPI-) related increase should CPI be higher than any of the aforementioned increases. Employees will also receive a one-off payment of R12,000, while the underground allowance will be increased to R840. “A further outcome of the negotiations is that the trade unions and the company will continue to consult with each other about an improved housing scheme that will benefit employees,” Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis reported. He went on to comment: “What we are dealing with here are two mining trade unions, Solidarity and the NUM, which have jointly negotiated under the banner of a formal alliance. This, in itself, is a victory for trade union unity and, ultimately, for every employee.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly

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