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Cape Town - Trade union membership meetings that decide on the pay and condition demands at regular wage talks are an example of open democracy in a world of increasing autocracy, says Terry Bell in his latest Labour Wrap. Yet this aspect of trade unionism is often ignored while it should be hailed.
Bell makes this remark at a time when the pay talks in the platinum sector are again under way, with speculation of another possible strike ahead and a degree of confusion being expressed about the now iconic R12 500 basic wage demand again being raised.
However, he points out that no strike has been demanded or planned, and that the demands being tabled this week arise from worker consultation.
The basic pay demand of R12 500, he notes, first arose at Marikana in 2012, and was brought forward by the rock drill operators, that slightly better paid and critical sector of the underground workforce. However, it was soon taken up by other miners, many of whom earned R5 600 a month and less.
Since the massacre four years go and following further strikes and negotiations, the lot of miners across the board has improved. Basic pay is now at about R8 000 a month, while the rock drill operators have achieved some R10 000. And allowances and bonuses are also generally better.
What is essential to understand, says Bell, is that being a miner is not a simple or single purpose job. In the first place, mine workers labour both above and below the earth’s surface and they have a variety of jobs that require different skills. As in other industries, there are also varying pay scales.
Especially given the decline in the exchange rate value of the rand - despite slight improvements this week - the “floor level” pay rate of R12 500 may yet be achieved this year. As Bell points out: sales are dollars, while most costs, including wages, are in rands.
* Add your voice or just drop Terry a labour question. Follow Terry on twitter @telbelsa.
