NUM may strike over coal wages

Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Wednesday it had rejected the Chamber of Mines' "non-offer" in the coal mining industry negotiations "with the contempt it deserves".

The NUM said it had indicated to the chamber that it would only return to negotiations upon an offer. "The current no offer stance reflects a bad attitude towards negotiations on the part of the chamber of Mines which has milked our members of energy," the NUM said.

"While the NUM had approached these negotiations with a good attitude understanding the impact of the global economic conditions notwithstanding coal miners' excellent profit with huge infrastructural developments at Eskom, the chamber spent the whole morning pleading poverty," the union said.

"If this is going to be the attitude, then we have no option but to approach our members for a mandate. If that mandate means strike action, so be it," said NUM general secretary, Frans Baleni.

According to the NUM, food price inflation has tripled, was currently at 14.9%, and has made the cost of living too high for the blue-collar workers NUM represents. "A big fight is at the horizons if the Chamber persists with its attitude," it concluded.

Earlier, trade union Solidarity motivated its demands to the Chamber of Mines' coal sector, arguing that coal is a long-term industry, and in a better position than gold.

"Large infrastructure development is under way in South Africa and there is large expansion development. Workers have to grow alongside the prosperity of the industry," the union said.

Coal mines including Anglocoal, Xstrata, part of Exxaro, BHP Billiton, Delmas Coal and Kangra also took part in discussions.

"Solidarity used the opportunity to indicate to the Chamber that workers cannot receive a CPI increase, but they have to be remunerated for their living costs. Workers' living costs are high, and higher than economists' expectations," said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.

"Food inflation is close to 15% and remains one of the large drivers of inflation. Medical and education inflation is above 10%. The poorer working classes are bearing the brunt of higher inflation. Households move their spending from other expenses to food to meet their basic requirements," Kleynhans added.

Solidarity's demands include a 15% increase, a 14th cheque equal to the basic salary on the anniversary of a worker's date of appointment, an introduction of a cellphone allowance for shift bosses and foremen, and an improvement of the living allowance to market-related rates, among others.

- I-Net Bridge