S Africa Union Warns Of Coal Indus Strike Over Wage Talks
May 20 2009 - 11:16AM
Dow Jones News
South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers Wednesday warned a
strike in the coal mining industry was on the horizon after it
failed to received a wage offer from companies.
"If this is going to be the attitude, then we have no option but
to approach our members for a mandate. If that mandate means strike
action, so be it," said NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni.
The union in a statement said it would only resume wage
negotiations with the Chamber of Mines, which represents companies
including Anglo American PLC (AAUK) and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP),
when an offer has been made.
-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +27 11 783 7848;
robb.stewart@dowjones.com