The Chamber of Mines (CoM) revealed yesterday (21st April) that it expects wage negotiations with South African mining staff to commence during the middle of May, Mining Weekly reports.

Although it is still awaiting submissions from other unions, the chamber confirmed that the National Union of Mineworkers has passed on a list of demands which includes a 15 per cent pay rise.

Commenting on the news, Dr Elize Strydom, the CoM's Industrial Relations Adviser, explained that no further action will be taken until all the information has been received.

"We are now waiting for the other mining industry unions, the United Association of South Africa and Solidarity, to deliver their demands to us," she told the news provider.

"Once these have been received, we will discuss with our members the way forward, taking into account both the wage and other demands which will also have significant cost implications."

Dr Strydom added that sustainability will have a major bearing on the talks and that she is confident of arriving at "agreements that will address the concerns of all the negotiating partners".

Meanwhile, Jaco Kleynhans, spokesperson for Solidarity, told Mining Weekly that his trade union would be delivering its demands to the CoM yesterday afternoon.

Source:

Chamber believes SA wage talks will get under way in mid-May (21/04/09)