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Johannesburg - The Association of Mining and Construction Workers (Amcu) on Wednesday called on gold mining companies to return to the negotiation table if they want to avoid a strike in the sector.
"Our members are determined to settle at a dignified offer and avoid strike action where possible," Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa told reporters in Johannesburg.
"However, as a union we have a mandate to embark on industrial action should employers fail to return with an improved offer to take back to our members."
He said there is a lack of consistency when it comes to salaries in the mining industry, with the gold sector having the lowest comparative monthly median earnings.
According to Mathunjwa, as of 2012 the gold median earning was just above R4 000 compared to R4 900 for the coal sector, R6 500 for diamonds and R5 200 for platinum.
"It is incumbent in any rational thinking organisation to intensify the struggle for better wages in the gold sector as compared to other mining commodities."
He said Amcu was surprised when the National Union of Mineworkers was prepared to sign a settlement in the gold sector for R625 when it was going to strike for a R1 000 settlement in the coal sector, which has better remuneration.
"This lack of consistency does not meet any logical explanation, other than to arrive at speculative reasoning fixated at the myopic bargaining tactics that are cantered at colluding against Amcu while compromising the workers."
Mathunjwa claimed there is collusion between the Chamber of Mines and other unions to frustrate Amcu and its members.
This so-called collusion was evident in the quick settlement in the coal sector, he added.
