Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - A pay strike by NUM workers at Northam Platinum's Zondereinde mine in Amandelbult, Limpopo, ended after a settlement was reached, the union said on Friday.
"The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members have triumphed in their battle that lasted for 75 days of bloodless strike," acting national spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said in a statement.
"Our members have unanimously accepted the offer."
Allowance
The offer, which would apply for two years, would result in category two to eight core workers receiving a 9.5% wage increase and category two to eight non-core workers an 8.5% increase.
All category two to eight workers, regardless of core or non-core function, would receive a 9% living out allowance increase.
Category nine and 10 core workers would receive an 8% increase, and category nine and 10 non-core workers would receive a 7.5% increase. The living out allowance of all category nine and 10 workers would rise by 7%..
"The R3 000 once-off payment that was proposed by the management will now be included as an ex gratia [voluntary] payment for 23 months and then [be] added on employees' basic salaries in the 24th month," Mammburu said.
Better salaries
This meant workers would receive an extra R125 a month, for 23 months, which would be added to their basic salaries in the 24th month.
"This takes the overall increase on basic wages to between 9.8 and 11.8%," he said.
The union said it would continue to fight for better salaries and working conditions for its members, without allowing members' lives to be put at risk.
Mammburu said members would return to work once the agreement had been finalised and signed.
