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SIM
SIIF
SIM - Simmers - Num in Strike Action at Buffelsfontein Mine
SIMMER AND JACK MINES LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1924/007778/06)
Share code: SIM
ISIN: ZAE000006722
("Simmers")
NUM IN STRIKE ACTION AT BUFFELSFONTEIN MINE
Stilfontein - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) last night called
upon its members to embark on strike action at Buffelsfontein Gold Mine
Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmer & Jack Mines, Limited
(Simmers).
NUM has rejected a 10% overall increase on average for 2007 and another
10% increase in 2008 for category 3 to 8 workers who fall under the NUM
bargaining unit.
Notice of intended strike action by members of NUM over review of wages
and other conditions of employment was received by management on Monday
May 7.
"We have spent the last forty eight hours in talks with the union in an
attempt to avert any strike action and we are disappointed that NUM has
decided to go this route," said Deon van der Mescht, chief operating
officer of Simmers.
"This is the first round of wage negotiations since Simmers rescued the
mine from final liquidation and closure in November 2005. We`ve been in
discussion with NUM since February this year and just before the
commencement of a scheduled meeting aimed at continuing the negotiations,
management received a notification from the CCMA that the NUM had
referred the matter to the CCMA for resolution. The CCMA then
successfully facilitated talks to the point were both parties agreed that
the CCMA would draft an agreement for signature. When presented with the
final draft, NUM announced unexpectedly that it now required that the
increase for year two (2008) in the agreement be implemented in year one
(2007)," said Van der Mescht.
When Simmers considered taking over Buffelsfontein`s operations in 2005,
it identified the marginal mine`s disproportionately high wage bill
relative to other operations in the area as being one of the issues that
needed to be addressed in order to turn the operation around. With the
support of organised labour, a new agreement was reached that would
reduce labour costs and streamline the wage structures. This enabled the
company to save 4 200 jobs at the time.
Van der Mescht said that the company was doing everything possible to end
the dispute and would continue to negotiate in good faith with the NUM
representatives.
Underground production at Buffelsfontein has ceased, barring essential
services. The mine will however continue to treat surface sources.
CONTACT PERSON: GAIL STRAUSS ON 084 777 4060
JOHANNESBURG
10 May 2007
Sponsor
Sasfin Capital
A Division of Sasfin Bank Limited
Date: 10/05/2007 13:54:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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