The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) a majority union at Goldfields with 82% membership penetration concluded a wage agreement supported by the Chamber of Mines. This agreement was concluded separately due to the uniqueness of South Deep Mine which is a highly mechanised mine with a different skill base.
Notwithstanding this deal between the parties, the NUM is still committed to the centralised bargaining forum and this agreement with Gold Fields should be seen as such.
Our members are quite pleased with the wage agreement which was concluded without any strike, violence, intimidation and loss of life.
The agreement is effective from the 1st of April 2015 and the duration is three (3) years.
1. Salary Increase for category 4-8 (lowest category)
Year 1 is 21,46%
Year 2 is 14,76%
Year 3 is 12,97%
Other categories (Miners, Artisans & Officials)
Year 1 is 8%
Year 2 is 8%
Year 3 is 9%
2. Cash basic wage per month for an entry-level worker category 4-8 (lowest category)
Year 1 R7000
Year 2 R8000
Year 3 R9000
Cash value wage per month for an entry-level worker including other benefits is as follows:
Year 1 is R12, 907
Year 2 is R14, 322
Year 3 R16, 238
3. Scarce skills retention covers only 26% of the workforce
Year 1 is R4000
Year 2 is R4, 500
Year 3 is R5 000
4. Housing allowance and Housing scheme (all categories)
Year 1 is R3000 per month
Year 2 is R3 000 per month
Year 3 is R3, 500 per month
The company will enable all categories of workers to receive an interest-free housing loan of R100 000 for first time applicants for the purpose of purchasing a house.
5. Medical incapacity payout will be R42, 500
6. Funeral benefit for all Miners, Artisans and Officials will be R30, 000
7. Education of dependent children
The Matshediso Policy will assist dependents of the deceased workers irrespective of how many they are.
8. Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP)
The parties will engage on the practicalities of reviewing the current ESOP.
We hope that the game-changer agreement is seen in the light of the material conditions prevailing at the mine, maturity of the negotiators, and the trust that workers still have on their trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers.
