The United Association of South Africa (Uasa) hopes to know by the end of business on Friday whether it will join two other unions in South Africa’s first gold-mining strike in more than a decade.
Uasa minerals division general manager Tim Kruger said his union is currently consolidating the strike ballots it has been receiving since Wednesday.
”Most of the strike ballots have been received at head office. We are positive that we will know at the close of business today. But if we don’t receive all the outstanding ballots, we will decide on Monday,” he said.
If Uasa does decide to down tools, it will be the first time in its history that its members participate in a gold strike.
Uasa will first have to issue the Chamber of Mines, which has been negotiating on behalf of the employers, with a 48-hour notice to strike.
The National Union of Mineworkers will go on strike on Sunday at 6pm and Solidarity on Monday at 11.59pm.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration issued all three unions with strike notices earlier this week after wage negotiations deadlocked.
The unions are demanding an increase of between 10% and 12% and the chamber is offering an increase of between 4,5% and 5%, depending on the job category.
The strike will be the first in the gold-mining industry in 18 years. South Africa is the world’s largest gold-producing nation. — Sapa