Update on October 1: Exxaro Coal (Pty) Ltd. and the South African National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have reached a three-year wage agreement that brings the current wage strike at its Grootegeluk and Leeuwpan mines to a conclusion.
Mzila Mthenjane, executive head at Exxaro, said, “We are pleased that the parties were able to resolve the dispute speedily.”
Leeuwpan employees were expected to return to work on September 22, while Grootegeluk employees started on September 25.
Positive engagements continue with Solidarity, the other trade union recognized for collective bargaining.
Original story (9/21/2017):
Exxaro confirmed that the South African National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) obtained a strike certificate, downed their tools, and walked off the job at two of its coal mines in Limpopo and Mpumalanga following a wage dispute. “The strike action affects the Grootegeluk mine in Lephalale, as well as Leeuwpan mine in Delmas,” said Exxaro spokesperson Mzila Mthenjane. “We continue discussions with NUM to resolve and reach agreement soon to minimize impact on employees.”
Negotiations with Solidarity, the other trade union recognized for collective bargaining, are continuing as they have not declared a dispute with the company. “We are working closely with all other stakeholders to minimize any potential impact on coal supply,” Mthenjane said. “We remain committed to resolving the dispute with the NUM and we are continuing with engagements and remain confident that an amicable resolution can be reached.”
Exxaro is a South African-based Black empowered mining company. Its portfolio of coal operations includes mines in Mpumalanga and the Limpopo supplying coal to the South African utility, Eskom, other domestic markets and the export markets.
