NUM to start its wage negotiations

THE NATIONAL Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will start wage negotiations with Kumba Iron Ore in the Northern Cape today.

NUM chief negotiator at Kumba Iron Ore, Lucas Phiri, said the union represented over 2 000 members at both mines.

“Following the the three-year agreement that is nearing an end on June 30, NUM will table its demands of its members employed at Kolomela and Sishen mines today.

“NUM represent the majority of employees in the Northern Cape and in Kumba and it is still the majority union. Kumba is one of the biggest iron ore producers in the country and we believe they will reward employees in these wage negotiations. Kumba Iron Ore is where it is today as a result of the workers.

“The NUM demands amongst others are to improve the salary of workers, better conditions of employment, housing and an improved employee share ownership scheme (ESOPS).”

Phiri stated that over the past few years no payouts were made from the employee share ownership scheme, which had paid out bonuses of up to R500 000 in the past.

He believed that the retention of staff was stable following the spate of retrenchments that were concluded last year.

“For now we will concentrate on wage negotiations. We are positive that a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached.”

- Sandi Kwon Hoo