Diamond group De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) on Friday confirmed that the National Union of Mineworkers has indicated its intention to declare a dispute with the company.
According to De Beers, this follows a series of meetings between the parties on annual substantive negotiations.
De Beers said in a statement that the company has tabled an offer of a 7,5% increase for its lowest-paid employees and a 7% increase for the rest of the bargaining unit.
“This lifts the company’s minimum wage to a highly competitive R3 333 per month. This is subject to the implementation of and continued engagement on a gain-sharing scheme.
“In terms of this offer, a guaranteed bonus pool of 4% will be made available for distribution to employees in the bargaining unit.
“The union currently seeks a 10% increase and does not wish to engage on gain sharing during these talks. The gain-sharing scheme is designed to return the five DBCM loss-making mines to profitability,” the company said.
De Beers said it is disappointed with the union’s response to its “generous and progressively structured proposal”, but is confident that a settlement will be reached and remains committed to a mutual-gains process of negotiation.
“The parties will meet as soon as possible in an attempt to settle this matter,” the company concluded. — I-Net Bridge