Labour unions unite to tackle Amplats on wages

Picture: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Picture: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Published Sep 21, 2016

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Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the United Association of South Africa (Uasa) have joined the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), the biggest platinum union, in declaring a wage dispute against Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).

The biggest platinum producer has offered a 6.75 percent wage increase over three years in talks that began earlier this month, according to the unions.

The three recognised organised labour unions want a double-digit hike in monthly salaries as the 2014 wage agreement expired on June 30.

Read also: Wage talks: Amplats, NUM hit deadlock

Amplats has not disclosed details of the wage talks, but Mpumi Sithole, an Amplats spokeswoman, confirmed yesterday the dispute against the company.

“Amplats confirms that Uasa and the NUM have declared a wage negotiation dispute... and we continue to engage recognised unions and remain optimistic to reach a sustainable wage agreement,” Sithole said.

Demands

NUM spokesman Livhuwani Mammburu said the union had demanded a 14.5 percent wage increase, and in a statement yesterday described Amplats offer “as an insult to thousands of helpless employees”.

The union blamed Amplats for refusing to “close the apartheid wage gap”.

“NUM deplores Anglo Platinum’s dirty tactics and the arrogant attitude displayed during the wage negotiations. The NUM remain unshakable on its demands and it will not and never accept Anglo's insult wage increase of 6.75 percent,” Mammburu said.

Amcu wants a R12 500 basic salary for entry-level employees and a 15 percent increase for other employees. It also wants R5 000 for housing allowances, R5 000 for living out, R2 000 for risk and an operator’s allowance of R1 500.

Amplats shares lost 2.63 percent to close at R372.90.

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