Some 160 000 South African gold and coal miners, who are members of the National Union of Mineworkers (Num), are set to embark on their first strike in 16 years, following the breakdown of talks between Num and the Chamber of Mines (CoM) on Thursday.
Following failed attempts to find a resolution through a mediated process, Num declared that it had reached a deadlock with the gold and coal mining companies represented by the CoM.
“The bone of contention remains the issues of wages and job grading,” Num said in a statement.
Following Num’s declaration, the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CCMA) has issued a right to strike certificate.
The gold companies affected are Goldfields, Harmony and the South Deep gold mine.
The coal miners facing the prospect of a strike are Ingwe, Eyesizwe, Anglocoal and Kuyasa.
AngloGold, which made new offers on Thursday, and Xstrata, Kangra and Afriore — following their offers — have been exempted from the deadlock as Num felt that their offers were significant and worth reporting to members.
Num branches at these companies will then report back to the national office on Tuesday July 22 on how members have received the offers.
“We have done all in our power to avert this situation by giving the companies the benefit of the doubt by agreeing to a protracted mediation process. We had said we will strike when we realise that the industry wants nothing else but a strike,” said Gwede Mantashe, Num general secretary.
“We have reached that conclusion on Thursday. Therefore, after receiving the certificate from the CCMA today we will issue a 48 hours notice, as required by the law, with the aim of beginning the strike on July 27, that is a Sunday. At present our members have gone back to give reports at their various branches and regions,” Mantashe said. – I-Net Bridge