S Africa Union Seeks 15% Wage Hike For Coal Industry Workers
May 20 2009 - 9:43AM
Dow Jones News
South Africa's Solidarity trade union Wednesday said it is
calling for coal producers to pay an above-inflation 15% wage
increase for its members.
The union put its request to the Chamber of Mines, which
negotiates on behalf of companies including Anglo American PLC
(AAUK), BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Exxaro Resources Ltd.
(EXX.JO).
"Workers cannot receive a CPI [consumer price inflation]
increase, but they have to be remunerated for their living costs,"
said Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans, adding food inflation was
close to 15% and medical and education cost inflation is above
10%.
Official consumer price inflation stood at 8.5% on the year in
March, according to data released by Statistics South Africa.
Solidarity said it also is calling for workers to receive a 14th
monthly wage check equal to their basic monthly salary on the
anniversary of their appointment, standby and mobile phone
allowances for shift bosses and foremen and other benefits.
-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +27 11 783 7848;
robb.stewart@dowjones.com