Wednesday’s talks between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Kumba Resources failed to find a solution to the current strike action affecting the company, the union said on Thursday in a statement.
“The meeting, which took the whole day, ended without offering a clear sign of an end to the deadlock,” the statement added.
The union stated that it had been “so hopeful” when going into the meeting, “thinking that it would be a matter of a few hours and we would settle”.
The union explained that the company had made a new offer, from 7% for the higher earners and 8% for the lower end, of 7,75% for higher categories and
8,75% for the lower categories.
The union is demanding 9% for the higher category and 10,5% for the lower one.
“In essence there is about R44 that separates us from management. We believe this is achievable given the company’s performance. We are willing to continue engaging them until a solution is reached soon. For now, though, we have decided to take this new offer back to our members for their response,” said the NUM’s Eddie Majadibodu.
“The union will be having consultations with all branches on Thursday, with the hope of giving the company feedback before the end of the week. We continue to be hopeful that what separates us is not insurmountable, we should apply our minds and make the necessary leap,” the statement concluded.
I-Net Bridge was unable to reach Kumba Resources spokespersons for comment. – I-Net Bridge