NUM and De Beers Complete Wage Negotiations

De Beers Consolidated Mines and the National Union of Mineworkers have concluded wage negotiations in South Africa, agreeing to wage and employment conditions improvements as the three year agreement is about to expire.

The one-year agreement includes a 7 percent increase to monthly pensionable wages to all members, brining the new minimum basic rate of pay to 3,100 rand ($496.40) per month starting May 2004.

The parties also agreed to continue to engage on the implementation of the Mining Charter.

Both parties welcome the agreement as it reflects their entrenched commitment to engage on labor issues in a manner that seeks mutually beneficial solutions.

Archie Palane, Deputy General Secretary of NUM said, “The Agreement paves the way towards enhancing a partnership that would enable both parties to benefit during the good and bad times”.

Jeff Leaver, chief negotiator for De Beers, added, “Despite needing to address a number of complex issues, the parties were able to engage in a constructive manner and find settlements which reflect their continued commitment to foster a mutually beneficial relationship”.

De Beers’ Debswana and Botswana mining union negotiators are yet to announce any headway in their talks, leaving strike threats in the air.