Peace clause features in mine wage deals

ANGLO American Platinum has tentatively agreed with unions to wage increases of at least 7percent over the next three years to avert a strike, a draft agreement revealed yesterday.

The document contains a “peace obligation”, which says no members of the unions “shall be entitled to embark upon any industrial action whatsoever”.

Members of the biggest union involved, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), have embarked on several, often violent, wildcat strikes in recent years.

A source at another platinum miner, Impala Platinum, said it had offered a similar deal that also included a “peace clause”. Implats is only negotiating with Amcu.

“We’ve learned from the recent past and decided a peace clause is best practice,” the source said.

A union source said Lonmin’s offer was also similar. A spokeswoman for the company said negotiations “have gone well”.

The Amplats’ draft agreement says 7 percent or R1 000 per month, “whichever is greater”. For lower paid-miners earning R8000pm, this would represent an increase of 12 to 13percent against an inflation rate of 6.1 percent.

But drought has fuelled food price inflation now reported at 11.3 percent last month.

Amcu, known for its militancy and strident tone, had been pushing for wage hikes of close to 50 percent, but said last week it had reached “agreements in principle” with Amplats, Implats and Lonmin. – Reuters