NUM to give Anglo coal ‘final warning'

JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will give a “final written warning” to Anglo Coal it said in a statement on Friday.

Thousands of union members from the Highveld region would march to the offices of Anglo Coal’s owner, Anglo American, on Saturday to present a memorandum of demands, the NUM said.

These included that Anglo Coal implement agreements reached at the Chamber of Mines.

“Amongst these agreements is the 2002/2003 agreement relating to child care facilities and funeral cover for dependants,” the NUM said.

“It is our conviction that hence there has been an agreement on child care facilities, the company must build these facilities as a matter of urgency as non-compliance has compromised the dignity of its women workers,” said Lefty Mashego, the NUM ‘s Anglo Coal mining house coordinator in the region.

The union further called for the speedy implementation of funeral cover which had been agreed on.

It also called on Anglo Coal to halt “victimisation of its personnel based on compulsory HIV/Aids voluntary tests and counselling results.”

Other demands included job grading and a halt to the unilateral employment of contractors.

“Various NUM branches from the Highveld region will participate in the march including Goedehoop, New Denmark, Kriel Coal, New Vaal, Isibonelo, Grenside/Kleinkopie/Landbou and Shared Services,” the NUM said.

Workers would gather at Beyers Naude Square on Saturday at 9am and would march to Anglo American’s head office in Marshall Street to hand over the memorandum.

Anglo American was not immediately available for comment.

-Sapa