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.
