The gold price
SA miners' union threatens strike - 4 August 2007
The biggest miners' union in South Africa, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has warned gold companies that its members are prepared to strike.
The NUM is pushing for a 15 per cent wage rise, but the country's Chamber of Mines - which represents Harmony, Goldfields and AngloGold Ashanti, will not move from its offer of 7.75 per cent.
More than 220,000 workers may down tools, the NUM says, although negotiations are still an option.
"We remain committed to finding a solution through negotiations; however the Chamber of Mines seems to be applying for trouble," said NUM general secretary Frans Baleni. "Unlike them refusing to meet our demand, we will meet their demand.
"We believe that the Chamber of Mines had tested our patience long enough and our workers will haunt the profit they make out of the workers sweat. Workers must get a share of the cake. If this kind of attitude continues at the CCMA they will face the ire of our workers."
Two years ago an industry-wide strike in the gold sector brought production to a standstill for five days.
The NUM is pushing for a 15 per cent wage rise, but the country's Chamber of Mines - which represents Harmony, Goldfields and AngloGold Ashanti, will not move from its offer of 7.75 per cent.
More than 220,000 workers may down tools, the NUM says, although negotiations are still an option.
"We remain committed to finding a solution through negotiations; however the Chamber of Mines seems to be applying for trouble," said NUM general secretary Frans Baleni. "Unlike them refusing to meet our demand, we will meet their demand.
"We believe that the Chamber of Mines had tested our patience long enough and our workers will haunt the profit they make out of the workers sweat. Workers must get a share of the cake. If this kind of attitude continues at the CCMA they will face the ire of our workers."
Two years ago an industry-wide strike in the gold sector brought production to a standstill for five days.
Goldbug, 04 Aug '07
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