Coal-mining industry workers and the Chamber of Mines have signed an agreement to suspend strikes for two years, the union Solidarity said on Friday.
”The hatchet has been buried for the next two years with the signing of a new wage agreement,” Reint Dykema said in a statement.
Acceptance of the offer by the trade unions means that coal mines will avoid the strike route that affected gold mines earlier this year, he said.
The agreement outlines wage increases for Solidarity members in various categories.
”All workers are to receive a 7% increase in the agreement’s second year,” Dykema said.
However, Dykema warned, the union will not ”abandon its campaign for better remuneration for artisans”.
He said South Africa faces a shortage of 300 000 artisans.
”If mines do not address this problem with a real improvement in remuneration, they may face an even bigger skills shortage,” Dykema added
Mines involved in the agreement include Ingwe, Anglo Coal, Springlake Colliery, Delmas Coal, Eyesizwe, Kangra Coal and Xstrata. — Sapa