BMWU agreed terms with BCL under duress - Malele

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday June 21, 2013 00:00

 

BMWU secretary general Bob Malele told Mmegi this week that BCL management threatened to put two shifts under maintenance if workers embarked on a legal strike.He explained that the union accepted the five percent increment for the lowest paid workers and four percent for the rest of the mine staff so as to avert job losses. Malele argued that the increment does not make any difference because the workers were already paid peanuts.

'We could not risk job losses. It does not mean that we are scared of going on a legal strike. We had concluded all the stages that are required by the act. We were left with a stage in our constitution which gives members a chance to vote,' he said.Malele said they have asked the management to consider another salary hike before the next negotiations next year.Although he could not be reached to clarify some issues, BCL mine general manager Daniel Mahupela said in a statement that the outcome of the 2013 salary negotiations truly reflected a collective effort towards achieving a common purpose and direction.

He stated that the agreement confirmed the parties' commitment to work together to further BCL's growth and diversification strategy, Polaris II.'Polaris II aims to diversify the business through partnering opportunities and thereby increasing its portfolio and focusing on the current operations of mining and smelting.

This vision requires relentless focus and a collective commitment to sustain the mine for the benefit of all, including the greater SPEDU Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) region and the nation at large,' said Mahupela. He said during the time of engagement, they recognised and respected the union's right to embark on a lawful strike. He applauded the union for acting more dependably by not opting for a strike. He said the union chose to look beyond the present by putting the future of BCL first during trying times.

He stated that the strike action ostensibly was an unappealing option due to its far-reaching consequences on the business and by extension, on all employees.'The strike would have only served to worsen the already unusual situation of the business burdened by the current low base metal prices and tough operating conditions,' he said.Neither Mahupela nor BCL public relations manager James Molosankwe could be reached for comment. Mahupela's phone was off while Molosankwe's rang unanswered.About 900 union members attended a meeting at the town hall on June 10 where they decided to accept the BCL offer.

The meeting reportedly did not put the issue to the vote as originally planned because an overwhelming number called for the signing of the agreement, saying some mine shafts were operating at a loss but the mine was keeping them operational in order to keep union members employed.The union had wanted an across the board salary increase of 10 percent, an adjustment of underground allowance from P99 to P149 per month, an increment of machine men allowances from P30 per shift to P45 per shift as well as an adjustment of the housing allowance by P250 across board.

The union also wanted a review of tapping allowance from P6 per shift to P14 per shift, adjustment of annual bonus from five percent to eight percent of annual basic pa.It further agitated for an adjustment of hot metal allowance from P69 to P100 per month.The union requested to defer the adjustment of artisan tool allowance from P30 per month to P230 per month to another forum.