UASA Media Release: 26 November 2024
In picture: From Left: UASA Chairman Kiewiet Bender and Operational Manger Pine Pienaar during the wage agreement signing at Kopanong Gold Mining.
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
UASA negotiated and entered a two-year wage increase agreement with Kopanong Gold Mining Company on behalf of its members. The collective agreement is effective from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2026.
In terms of the agreement:
- Categories 4-8 (surface and underground employees) will receive an increase of R900 in both year 1 and 2 respectively.
- Miners and artisans will receive 5% on the standard rate of pay increase in year 1 and 2.
- Lower level officials (B1-B4) will receive an increase of 900 or 5%, whichever is greater on the standard rate pay in year 1 and 2.
- Officials will receive 5% on the standard rate of pay increase in year 1 and 2.
UASA Operational Manager Pine Pienaar and Chairman Kiewiet Bender played a critical role in the consultations. They said the wage negotiations were challenging because the marginal size of the operation made it difficult to navigate a common ground between the employer and employees before reaching a conclusive agreement favouring both parties.
In addition to the signed agreement, several other employee benefits, including funeral benefits, long services awards, underground allowance and living out allowance were also reviewed as per the agreement.
UASA is pleased to be a part of rewarding negotiations given the current economic challenges many companies face, especially in mining. We welcome the agreement between organised labour and Kopanong Gold Mining as it will benefit our members and all workers employed by the mining house.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.