Mediators to assist in gold wage talks

It said the CCMA appointed national senior commissioner Afzul Soobedaar and independent mediator Peter Harris.

"[We have] advised that the mediation between the gold producers and unions will begin on Thursday, (1 August) at the Chamber of Mines," the chamber said in a statement.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity, and Uasa declared a dispute after talks with the chamber deadlocked last Wednesday (24 July). They then referred the matter to the CCMA.

The chamber dismissed threats of a strike in the gold sector, describing these threats as premature.

"Talk of strike action points both to ignorance of the negotiation process and of the recent history of wage negotiations in the gold sector," said Elize Strydom, on behalf of gold producers.

Responsible approach

She said that a dispute declaration signalled the start of a structured, orderly mediation process.

"Both dispute declaration and mediation are legal provisions and the fact that they have been taken up entirely responsibly in this way by the parties shows the on-going commitment to the process and the rule of law."

During talks, the producers tabled a revised offer of five percent in respect of wages and benefits. However,the NUM wanted surface workers to earn a minimum of R7,000 a month, and underground and open-cast workers R8,000 a month. Solidarity wanted a 10% increase.

"Solidarity still hopes that an agreement within the best interests of the gold sector can be reached and has urged the executives of the employers in the gold sector to put their negotiators in a better bargaining position," general secretary Gideon du Plessis said.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant called on unions and producers to put the interests of the economy and the country first.

"I want to appeal to all employers and employee representatives who are involved in wage negotiations to do so in good faith. If there is a deadlock, give the facilitation a chance. There is absolutely no reason why the different parties cannot find the middle ground," she said.

She said she hoped strikes would be a last resort.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge