The Chamber of Mines of South Africa meets with three Trade Unions to discuss their demands
Today the Collieries members of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa held their first official meeting with the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and UASA. At this meeting the three trade unions clarified their wage demands as a starting process for the 2009 mining industry wage negotiations.
The Collieries tabled a number of offers on some of the demands, but indicated to the unions that they would want to get a better indication of the settlement range of the other offers before they are able to make a wage offer.
Dr Frans Barker, who negotiates for the Collieries, said that the discussions were conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and expressed the hope that the process will continue in the same vein.
Dr Barker said: “Even though we have received a set of demands from the unions that will result in excessive cost increases, employers in the industry have been thinking of some creative ways in which to improve terms and conditions of service on coal mines. We all have our mandates, but I have confidence that all parties have the best interests of the industry and the country at heart and this is the spirit in which these negotiations are being held”.
Dr Barker also noted that some of the demands tabled by the unions were being addressed in other forums such as the Minerals Board and the Mining Qualifications Authority. The next round of wage negotiations will take place on Tuesday 26 May 2009.
For any enquiries related to this media statement please contact:
Jabu Maphalala
Deputy Communications Adviser
Chamber of Mines of South Africa
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