FIFI PETERS: Let’s dig into some mining issues now, the place we’ll meet up with the newest happenings at Sibanye-Stillwater’s platinum operations in Rustenburg, in addition to Marikana.
The firm stated in an announcement on Friday that it [had] reached a wage deal with the National Union of Mineworkers, in addition to Uasa, on the newest spherical of wage talks at its platinum operations. But it stated that Amcu (Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union) has rejected the present supply on the desk. To inform us why, I’m joined by Gama Treasure, the common chief negotiator at Amcu.
Gama, thanks a lot on your time, sir. Why is the deal that’s on the desk proper not ok for Amcu?
GAMA TREASURE: Good night to you and your listeners. We are a commerce union that’s mandated by its members. So, after having given them suggestions from what transpired in the course of the negotiations, our members say that they’re not but glad with the supply on the desk – return and negotiate. So that’s the place and that’s the backside line. Our members rejected the supply.
FIFI PETERS: So the supply on the desk is an annual wage improve of 6% for the following 5 years, to my understanding, with bargaining-unit staff or some staff getting greater than that 6% for the following 5 years. I perceive that it additionally contains inflation-linked agreements in yr 4 and 5.
So CPI-linked agreements in yr 4 and 5, plus advantages. That feels like a great deal to me, particularly for those who have a look at the speed of improve of most individuals’s salaries – at a gross stage, by the way in which previously yr, based on Statistics South Africa – being solely 4.5% gross earnings; that of most individuals rising by solely 4.5%. You have 6% on the desk for the following 5 years, and also you’re saying it’s not ok. So I’d wish to know what you need as Amcu?
GAMA TREASURE: Firstly, what’s the year-on-year inflation, as we converse? The year-on-year inflation is sitting at 6.5%; that’s a truth. Secondly, what’s the present inflation as introduced by the Reserve Bank? I feel in July or August it was sitting at 7.8%.
Now, while you look into that, 6% is just not sufficient to extend the salaries of the employees as a result of 6% is beneath inflation. So it means that you’re battling the employees as a result of they’ll find yourself utilizing their very own salaries as an alternative of utilizing the rise.
So on that foundation our members have rejected the supply and we stated to the corporate we are going to contemplate a rise of not less than 6.5% in every year of the settlement, not even to go to the extent of seven.8%.
FIFI PETERS: So 6.5% is what you’re on the lookout for?
GAMA TREASURE: Yes, 6.5% is what we’re on the lookout for over the interval of the settlement. When you come to yr 4 and yr 5, it’s a little bit of a [double]-edged sword, as a result of, one, what is going to occur if the inflation in yr 4 goes beneath 5%? It implies that the employees will obtain a rise which is round 4.5%, between 4% and 5%.
In financial worth, while you have a look at the bottom earners, it implies that these will obtain a rise of R1 000. So it’s a backward negotiation, not progressive.
What we stated to the corporate is, if you wish to hyperlink your improve to inflation, let’s say in yr 4 and yr 5, if the inflation is above 7.5%, let’s comply with reopen negotiations. If it’s beneath 3%, additionally let’s comply with reopen – like we did with the opposite firms.
We’ve received the identical settlement with Impala [Platinum]. We’ve received the identical settlement with Anglo [Platinum] for yr 4 and yr 5, relying on what stage inflation is. Then we will reopen negotiations.
But Sibanye-Stillwater doesn’t like that. They need us to simply accept what they consider is honest to them. They don’t contemplate what’s honest to the employees.
FIFI PETERS: A fast one, Gama. The assertion from Sibanye stated on Friday that the dispute had been referred to the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration]. Can you affirm that? And are you able to inform us what the following plan of motion is from right here? Are you happening strike?
GAMA TREASURE: Indeed I can affirm that the dispute has been referred to the CCMA as per the Labour Relations Act.
We are awaiting for the CCMA to offer us a scheduled date for reconciliation or mediation. We are optimistic that sense will come into their minds and they’ll evaluation their place and have the ability to have a settlement.
It could be very early at this stage to speak a couple of strike. When we negotiate wages, we don’t negotiate a strike.
We negotiate to have an settlement that may convey stability to everybody – to the employees, to the corporate and to the nation at massive.
So we in the end wager that we gained’t to go to the extent of going to a strike, nevertheless it additionally requires Sibanye to be devoted when it comes to negotiation.
FIFI PETERS: Okay. Well, we’ll be watching the developments of your talks and your goings on on the CCMA. Gama, thanks a lot for becoming a member of us this night. Gama Treasure is the overall chief negotiator at Amcu.
