Coal mine workers vow to continue strike
Wednesday 7 October 2015 05:49
Thandokukhanya Mkhatshwa
The workers are demanding a R1000 salary increase as opposed to the employer's offer of between R350 to R600 increase. (SABC)
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Hundreds of members of the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) have marched to hand over a memorandum with their grievances to Anglo Coal Mine Head Office in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.
This comes after the workers from all mines in Emalahleni have down tools demanding among others a better wage increase.
The workers are demanding a R1000 salary increase as opposed to the employer's offer of between R350 to R600 increase.
One of the National Chief Negotiators, Peter Bailey, says they will continue with the strike until their demands are met.
"The workers led by the National Union of Mine Workers have handed over the memorandum of their grievances to their employer. Their grievances include, wage increase, medical aid, security upgrade and housing allowance. They also accused coal mining companies of sending workers messages suggesting that the strike has been suspended."
Bailey says the employer should look at their demands, otherwise there will be no production in their companies. He says the employer should not undermine the workers.
This comes after the workers from all mines in Emalahleni have down tools demanding among others a better wage increase.
The workers are demanding a R1000 salary increase as opposed to the employer's offer of between R350 to R600 increase.
One of the National Chief Negotiators, Peter Bailey, says they will continue with the strike until their demands are met.
"The workers led by the National Union of Mine Workers have handed over the memorandum of their grievances to their employer. Their grievances include, wage increase, medical aid, security upgrade and housing allowance. They also accused coal mining companies of sending workers messages suggesting that the strike has been suspended."
Bailey says the employer should look at their demands, otherwise there will be no production in their companies. He says the employer should not undermine the workers.
We will report back as per your demands in the memorandum in terms of the response
"They believed that you would not strike, they say that it is the chief negotiators who is the problem and not the members who wants more money because they believe that you are satisfied with the scraps. The memorandum clearly states that enough is enough. We black South African workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."
NUM says Eskom does not have enough coal to sustain them the whole month.
According to NUM National Chief Negotiator Nelson Ratoshi , no coal has been supplied to Eskom from Sunday.
The management of the Anglo Coal mine have accepted the memorandum on behalf of the Chamber of Mines.
Anglo Coal Mine Employee Relations' Paulos Soviya says they will look at their grievances and also pass on the memorandum to the other employers.
"The Chamber of Mines is really appreciating the fact that you are handing over the memorandum on behalf of Chamber of Mines and the CEO's. We will then take it over to our principals. We will report back as per your demands in the memorandum in terms of the response, we really appreciate that."
NUM says Eskom does not have enough coal to sustain them the whole month.
According to NUM National Chief Negotiator Nelson Ratoshi , no coal has been supplied to Eskom from Sunday.
The management of the Anglo Coal mine have accepted the memorandum on behalf of the Chamber of Mines.
Anglo Coal Mine Employee Relations' Paulos Soviya says they will look at their grievances and also pass on the memorandum to the other employers.
"The Chamber of Mines is really appreciating the fact that you are handing over the memorandum on behalf of Chamber of Mines and the CEO's. We will then take it over to our principals. We will report back as per your demands in the memorandum in terms of the response, we really appreciate that."
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