Unions to respond to coal wage offer next week
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Trade union Solidarity on Wednesday questioned whether the Chamber of Mines (CoM) was still a relevant role-player in the coal industry, stating that the unions and the chamber had failed to reach agreement on any of the issues raised in this year's coal mining industry wage negotiations.
Solidarity energy head Deon Reyneke said the CoM and employers had been in negotiations and could, so far, only agree that the wage agreement should be a multiyear one.
“The chamber appears to be out of touch with the industry as a whole. Trade unions and employers alike are frustrated by the way in which the chamber is handling the negotiations.
“We believe that if the chamber is only going to be a facilitator then the coal industry negotiations should take place at a company level in future,” he added.
The CoM defended its role in the negotiations, stating: "Centralised collective bargaining in the coal sector is a voluntary arrangement that has been in place for many years and has served the sector well. The chamber's involvement is mandated in role by its members and it conducts itself according to that mandate".
It added that it understood that this was a difficult time for unions and employers and urged all parties involved to engage constructively.
Reyneke, meanwhile, said the CoM was not constructive and transparent enough during the negotiations. “The chamber presented an ‘amended offer’ to trade unions and employers, while it transpired at a later stage that it was actually its final offer. It seems as if the chamber is not participating in good faith in the negotiating process,” Reyneke stated.
The CoM and employers were divided over wage offers ranging from 4% to 6%, while Solidarity demanded a wage increase of 9% for its members in the industry.
Trade unions had an opportunity until next Tuesday to respond to the CoM’s offer.
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