THE Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union has accepted a new wage offer from platinum miners in principle, but outstanding issues remain, the union said on Friday.
A wage deal with the world’s top three platinum producers would end the longest mining strike in the country’s history that has adversely affected the economy, with rating agency Standard and Poor’s citing the strike as one of the reasons for lowering South Africa’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Friday.
“In principle we have agreed to the offer. There are still issues that we need to consult with the employer,” said Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa yesterday.
It was not clear when these talks would take place.
If the union signed the three-year settlement, the basic salary for entry-level underground employees at Impala Platinum would increase by M1 000 to M6 500.
The living-out allowance would remained at M1 850, bringing the cash remuneration to M8 350, excluding pension contributions, overtime pay, holiday leave, and shift allowance, which would be adjusted by the consumer price index (CPI) each year.
In the second year, cash remuneration would be M9 340.
In the third year, the cash remuneration would be M10 290, excluding other benefits, made up of a basic salary of R8 450 plus a M1 840 living-out allowance.
In terms of the proposed settlement, the basic salary for entry-level underground workers at Anglo American Platinum would increase by M1 000 to M6 000.
Cash remuneration in the first year would be M7 737, including a living-out allowance of M1 737.
In the second, year total cash remuneration would be M8 737.
In the third year, cash remuneration would be M9 687, excluding other benefits.
At Lonmin the basic salary would increase by R1 000 to M6 713. The living-out allowance remained at M1 950, bringing the cash remuneration to M8 663, excluding other benefits, in the first year.
In the second year, the total figure was M9 663.
The basic salary increased to M8 663 in the third year, and the living-out allowance to M1 950, bringing cash remuneration to M10 613, excluding other benefits.
Skilled workers in the C band — officials, artisans, and miners — were offered an eight percent in the first year and 7.5 percent for the two years after that.
Pension fund contributions, overtime and shift allowances would be adjusted according to the CPI on an annual basis.
Amcu members at Lonmin, Impala Platinum, and Anglo American Platinum went on strike on January 23 for a basic monthly salary of M12 500. — Sapa
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