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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) commends its affiliated trade union, UASA – The Union, for the leadership role it played in brokering the platinum mining deal reached yesterday.  FEDUSA views this as a prime example of how trade unions can attain more through positive approaches to labour relations and constructive engagements at the negotiating tables.
 
The Return To Work Offer by Anglo American Platinum includes a once-off allowance of R4500, a pre-tax monthly stand alone allowance of R600 per month, or an alternative of R400 per month.  The offer also includes a commitment to re-open wage negotiations early with an implementation date of 1 July 2013.
 
The employer also agreed to withdraw the intention to issue employees with final written warnings for participating in unprotected industrial action. Such employees will instead be issued a counselling note in which they will be advised of the possible consequences of participating in illegal strike action in the future.
 
“We are very glad that this process has come to a favourable conclusion,” said UASA’s Chief Operations Officer, Leon Grobler.  “These situations often call for compromises by both parties, and we believe that the result is a win-win situation,” he added.  “UASA firmly believes in promoting the interests of our members through constructive approaches to collective bargaining.  We have proven over the years to be a mature and level-headed bargaining partner, and we always try to view issues in an objective manner,” said Grobler.
 
“FEDUSA is proud of UASA for the leadership role it played under these difficult circumstances,” said FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George.  “Especially after the tragic events at Marikana, it is good to see how our institutions and regulated processes can work if applied correctly.  “We said then, and we will keep on saying that employers and Government need to use the machinery provided by our state-of-the-art labour legislation when dealing with these matters.  We will continue campaigning for positive and constructive interactions with our employers and Government,” concluded George.