Sibanye implements three-union wage deal
Sibanye Gold has decided to implement last week’s wage agreement reached with three unions, saying it believes it’s unfair to hold them hostage to the last remaining union’s decisions.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), with 42% representation, is holding out for a better deal, but the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) with 43%, UASA and Solidarity have accepted.
The agreement relates to wage increases and benefits spanning a three-year period from the July 1 2015 to June 30 2018. Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted said: “We didn’t feel it was fair that the other unions and our Amcu employees, many of whom had indicated they wished to accept the offer, be held to ransom by Amcu leadership.”
This decision makes Amcu employees party to the agreement even though they have not officially consented. Wellsted says the company does not feel a call for a strike from the Amcu leadership will be very popular with its members.
“The feedback we have had from many of our employees is that they don’t want to go on strike,” says Wellsted. Amcu has a not served Sibanye with a strike notice.
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