Coal miners take to the streets

A better wage increase is their demand, but whether a strike will solve the problem is the bigger issue. National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) announced a strike for a 13% wage increase.

Media spokesperson for Anglo American, Mr Moeketsi Mofokeng, stated on Thursday, October 1 that they were aware that NUM is planning a strike but have not yet received the 48-hour notice to companies. On Thursday evening however, this notice was received and the strike started on Sunday, October 4.

On Monday, October 5, Mofokeng confirmed that the strike is ongoing, although it is peaceful and not aggressive. The collieries surrounding eMalahleni, are Kriel, Zibulo, Greenside, Kleinkopje as well as Landau. These make up five of the nine Anglo mines in total.

According to Mr Khulu Phasiwe, spokesperson for Eskom as stated in the South African Labour News, the strike will only have an effect on the electricity if it stretches over a period of approximately two months. Mofokeng said that he hopes an agreement will be reached before then, for the coal production to carry on.

“If they strike, production stops. It is as easy as that,” Mofokeng said on Thursday.

Chamber of Mines offered a 7% to 8.5% wage increase for the lower category employees, while a 6% to 7.5% raise for upper category employees was offered.

Members of Solidarity and United Association of South Africa (UASA) accepted this wage offer, but the offer did not satisfy NUM.

According to a press release from the Chamber of Mines, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) also rejected the offer.

“We don’t have an update just yet. There are still negotiations taking place and I cannot confirm how long the strike will continue,” were the words of Memory Johnstone, spokesperson for Chamber of Mines.

The mines that are part of the strike are Anglo Coal, Glencore, Exxaro and others.

“Hopefully a resolution will be reached soon, so that coal production can continue,” Mofokeng said.