NUM to hold rally over inflation-related wage offer

Sapa, 12 July 2000

The National Union of Mineworkers is to hold a rally on Sunday after rejecting a Chamber of Mines offer to extend an agreement on inflation-related wage increases for colliery workers by a year, in exchange for a six percent wage increase this year.

The NUM on Wednesday said both parties had agreed to a 4,3 percent wage increase based on the CPI rate, plus one percent.

"(The chamber's offer) means that workers must forfeit further engagement and entrench low wage increases for 1,7 percent," said NUM secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

"This is an attempt to push the union to sell its dignity for peanuts."

He added that, in addition to Sunday's rally, a shaft steward council meeting would also be convened.

The original 4,3 percent increase originated from an agreement last year between the NUM and collieries linked to the Chamber of Mines.

The chamber confirmed its six percent offer.