Richards Bay Coal Terminal strike action continues

Employees at Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) entered their third week of strike action as the Association of Mine Workers and Construction Union (AMCU) continues with demands for salary and allowance increases.

AMCU KZN coastal regional secretary Bheki Sithole confirmed that the offers they proposed thus far have been rejected and employees are demanding salary increases of 7%, as well as allowances for housing and standby and shift allowances.

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Sithole said negotiations have been ongoing for months and picketing commenced on 17 September. Union members have committed to continue picketing if their demands are not met.

Meanwhile, RBCT in a statement confirmed the terminal remains operational despite strike and rail challenges.

“Regrettably, some RBCT non-striking employees have experienced acts of intimidation and violence,’ said the company in a statement.

“RBCT management has brought to the attention of AMCU leadership the acts of violence where an RBCT bus carrying non-striking employees to work was stoned.

“Subsequent to this, shots were fired at the bus.

“On the evening of 20 September and the early morning of 21 September, four houses of non-striking employees were attacked and damaged, together with a petrol bomb being discharged onto a vehicle. Fortunately no one was injured.”

Final offer

RBCT management made their full and final offer on 22 September to AMCU in an effort to resolve the strike. The offer is on condition that a three wage agreement is accepted.

The full offer is as follows:

Salary increase:

Employees in the B and C bands will receive a basic salary increase for the ensuing three-year period, as set out below:
– Year 1 (1 October 2023 to 30 June 2024) – 6%
– Year 2 (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025) – 6%
– Year 3 (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026) – CPI plus 1%, with a minimum of 6%.

Standby allowances to increase:
– Year 1 – standby will increase by 7%
– Year 2 – standby allowance will increase by 6%, in line with the basic salary increase
– Year 3 – standby allowance will increase by CPI plus 1%, with a minimum of 6%.

Shift allowance to increase from 9.5% to 10% of the basic salary.
Service recognition incentive to increase by 100%.

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