NUM and SAFCEC sign 2-year wage agreement

Press Statement, 17 September 2013

NUM and SAFCEC sign 2-year wage agreement

The  National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) on Monday signed a two-year wage agreement, ending prolonged strike action in the construction industry that halted major construction projects.

NUM Deputy President Piet Matosa signed the agreement on behalf of the union.

Matosa  told the NUM News online  that it is a two-year wage agreement with percentage ranging from 9% to 12,7%.

He said the negotiations were very tough but the NUM was happy to sign the agreement for  its members.

"We want to thank our members for standing behind the leadership of the union during these tough negotiations with the employers. The other issue that we want to deal with is the issue of Limited Duration Contract Employees (LDC's) where the bulk of our membership is there.These are members who are not entitled to any benefits. We want to say to all our members that come 2016 this is one of the issue that we will be addressing. These comrades are not getting any benefit. We are pushing very hard," Matosa said.

The substantive agreement allows for a wage increase of 10% for employees in Task Grade 1 to 4 and 9% for employees in Task Grade 5 to 9.

An interim wage adjustment, effective from March 2014, of between 1.45% and 2.14% will also be granted to employees in Task Grade 1 to 4.

The wage deal follows an agreement struck between Safcec and the Building, Construction and Allied Workers Union  (BCAWU) on September 3, in which members would receive an increase of between 8% and 10%.

In conclusion, Matosa said the NUM will honor and respect this wage agreement with SAFCEC even though he admitted the NUM was not entirely happy with the agreement.

The National Union of Mineworkers
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