The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Thursday night invoked an Article of the labour law to advise unions and coal producers on a wage settlement.
The three unions involved in the wage negotiations — Solidarity, the United Association of South Africa (Uasa) and the National Union of Mineworkers — embarked on renewed wage talks with the Chamber of Mines’ coal producers under the auspices of the CCMA on Thursday afternoon.
Solidarity spokesperson Reint Dykema said the CCMA’s commissioner invoked an Article of the labour law under which he can supply an advisory settlement to the negotiating parties.
”This basically means that the CCMA can tell the negotiating parties what settlement they should adopt in the wage dispute,” Dykema said. ”The CCMA now has two weeks to come up with the advisory settlement.”
Failing that, the unions could again apply for a strike certificate. On Thursday afternoon, the CCMA refused to issue a strike certificate to the three unions.
Dykema said the CCMA is of the opinion a settlement could still be reached between the unions and the Chamber of Mines’ coal producers.
The unions are demanding a wage increase of 10%, while the coal producers are offering an increase of between 5% and 7%. — Sapa