The current wage talks between the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) and the Chamber of Mines, which represents major gold and coal producers, are at an impasse, with the union indicating that strike action is imminent.
“Very little movement, if any at all, has emerged since the beginning of the bargaining process. The deadlock is seemingly inevitable even after three consecutive days of a mediation process under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration,” Num spokesperson Moferefere Lekorotsoana said. He said the union declared a dispute a week ago with the hope that a third party facilitation process would help.
Lekorotsoana added that at the end of the two scheduled days Num requested an additional two days as an indication that it sought a resolution to the dispute.
Num accused the industry of failing to apply its mind and taking the union for granted by playing with words.
Dion Boqwana, a member of the Num National Executive Committee and the union chairperson at the negotiations, said the union had told the Chamber to give Num its final offers now, because in the union’s view the process had reached its end.
Num general secretary and chief negotiator Gwede Mantashe said the industry’s procrastination was a clear indication that they want a strike as in 1987.
Attempts to obtain a response from the Chamber of Mines were unsuccessful. – I-Net Bridge