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Johannesburg - Over 30 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the coal sector will down tools on Sunday at 18:00, Peter Bailey, NUM's chief negotiator for the sector, told Fin24 on Sunday.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) issued a certificate of non-resolution to NUM's dispute in the coal industry this week.
Bailey said the union has been in wage negotiations in the coal industry for the past three and a half months and with the CCMA for the last month and a half.
"We gave notification about the intended strike on Thursday and will commence on Sunday evening. It will mostly be the Mpumalanga area that will be affected," said Bailey.
"We do not find the wage increase offer of between 5.5% and 8.5% acceptable. We want at least a R1 000 increase for categories 4 to 8, which would mean an increase of about 13% or 14%."
READ: NUM calls for coal miners's strike
Bailey added that the channels of communication is always open at the union, even if the mine owners want to negotiate on Sunday.
"We are always open for negotiations no matter whether on this side of a strike or the other side," said Bailey.
Anglo Coal and Glencore [JSE:GLN] are offering the lowest paid workers an increment of 8.5% and for artisans, miners and officials 7%. Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga is offering 8% for the lowest category and 7.5% for the artisans, miners and officials.
Kangra is offering 7.5% for the lowest category and 7% for the artisans, miners and officials. Koornfontein mine and Delmas are offering 5% for all categories. Msobo Mine is offering 7% for the lowest category and 5% for the artisans, miners and officials.
On Friday NUM said its members had accepted the latest pay offer from gold producers covering the next three years.
ALSO READ: 22 000 mining jobs under threat - NUM
