Mining companies, unions talk

Trade unions and seven gold mining companies held wage negotiations for the gold sector at the CCMA on Thursday, the Chamber of Mines said.

 

"Parties met the commissioner and shared information on issues in dispute. It was agreed that the process will continue next week, over three days," chamber spokeswoman Elize Strydom said.

 

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity, and Uasa declared a dispute with the gold producers and referred the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) after talks with the chamber deadlocked last week.

 

The unions rejected the gold producers' revised pay offer of a five-percent increase in respect of wages and benefits.

 

The NUM wanted surface workers to earn a minimum of R7000 a month, and underground and open-cast workers of R8000 a month.

 

Solidarity wanted a 10 percent increase.

 

A dispute between the chamber and another union, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), would also be tackled next week.

 

The chamber declared a dispute with Amcu this week after talks on a new pay deal stalled.

 

Amcu had reportedly tabled a 150 percent increase for entry-level underground workers.

 

Strydom said: "The gold producers have been advised that the CCMA would engage with Amcu to consolidate that dispute into the current negotiation process as the issues in dispute are common."

 

- Sapa