Frans Baleni, National Union of Mineworkers general secretary, was this morning quoted as saying that Lonmin had made mineworkers an offer, but this offer has since been rejected.

Baleni was quoted in the press as saying:

Lonmin is offering to adjust the rate of entry-level [workers] from R4 600 towards R5 500, an increase of about R900. Then all operators will be upgraded, by one grade up. It’s very far [from the R12 500 demanded]. We will hear how workers are responding to the offer, given that negotiation is give and take.

Baleni said he didn’t know what rival union, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), would do when presented with the offer:

It will depend if they are really pragmatic and willing to look at the interests of those workers, as well as the interests of our economy. We hope every player in these negotiations will take that into account.

It has since been reported that mineworkers have rejected the offer:

Baleni further added that job losses in the platinum sector were a huge concern and that 4 800 jobs had already been lost due to illegal strikes. And on the issue of labour unrest spreading throughout mines in the North West: it was being orchestrated for political reasons:

Clearly this is a co-ordinated and orchestrated approach, and we have a firm belief that it has political undertones. Certain people are using mineworkers to advance their political goals.

[Source: IOL]