CHAMBER, NUM, SOLIDARITY AND UASA HOLD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS

The Chamber of Mines today met with the NUM, Solidarity and UASA to receive the unions' feedback on the proposals made last week aimed at bringing to an end the unprotected industrial action underway in the gold sector.

The unions have indicated that there have been mixed reactions by their members to the Chamber's proposals, and that they are unable to confirm a return to work.

In response, the Chamber has indicated that it is not in a position to make any further proposals and that it, and the individual companies, will now explore other avenues to try to bring normality to the gold mining industry.

Dr Elize Strydom, Senior Executive: Employment Relations, says that "the industry regrets that is has not been possible to reach a settlement with the workers involved in the unprotected strikes. The current impasse is extremely unfortunate, not only for the industry and its employees, but also for future growth and development in South Africa, given the critical role that gold mining plays in our country's economic development".

The offers made last week by the Chamber, representing AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony, included:

• doing away with Category 3 so that entry level in the gold mining industry becomes Category 4 with a consequential adjustment to the entry level rate;
• an allowance for rock drill operators;
• a new category for locomotive, loader, winch and water jet operators, including an improvement in remuneration; and
• some adjustments in pay for other employees so as to preserve the integrity of the current job grading framework.

Statement issued by Dr Elize Strydom, Senior Executive: Employment Relations, Chamber of Mines, October 15 2012

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