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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) signed a substantive 3- year wage agreement today with Northam Platinum.The NUM represents the majority of employees in the bargaining units, Categories 2 – 8 and 9 - 10.
This agreement is effective from the 1st of July 2015 to the 1st of July 2017.
“The NUM wishes to express its sincere gratitude to its members at Northam Platinum for the manner in which they behaved during the negotiation period until they gave us the mandate to sign this substantive agreement. Our members are excited and they gave us the mandate to sign this agreement,” said Ecliff Tantsi, NUM Chief Negotiator at Northam Platinum.

“The NUM had to use its maturity and skill in engaging the company robustly which then resulted in such a beneficial agreement. This is a substantive agreement that also include Esop, housing strategy and other issues,” Tantsi added.

1. APPLICATION OF THE AGREEMENT
   This agreement shall apply to all employees in the bargaining units who are in the employ of the Company at the date of signing this agreement.
   
   
2. WAGES
   The basic monthly minimum rate of the employees in the bargaining unit (cat 2-8) to increase with the following:
   1. The basic monthly minimum rate of the employees in the bargaining unit
      
      Effective date Increase Minimum Surface Minimum Underground
      01 July 2015 R 1000 across the board R6 981.00 R7 256.00
      01 July 2016 R 1000 across the board R7 981.00 R8 256.00
      01 July 2017 R 1000 across the board R8 981.00 R9 256.00
      
      
   2. The basic monthly minimum rate of the employees in the bargaining unit (cat 9-10) to increase with the following:
      
      Effective Date Increase
      01 July 2015 R 1000 or alternatively 7.5%, whichever is higher.
      01 July 2016 R 1000 or alternatively 7.5%, whichever is higher.
      01 July 2017 R 1000 or alternatively 7.5%, whichever is higher.
      
      
3. LIVING OUT ALLOWANCE (LOA)
   1. The Living out allowance of employees in the bargaining unit (cat 2-8) will increase as follows:
      Effective Date Increase Old Allowance Value New Allowance Value
      01 July 2015 6% R2 614.00 R2 771.00
      01 July 2016 6% R2 771.00 R2 938.00
      01 July 2017 6% R2 938.00 R3 115.00
      
      
   2. The Living out allowance of employees in the bargaining unit (cat 9-10) will increase as follows:
      Effective Date B4 to B6 Increase C1 to C5 Increase
      01 July 2015 6% 4%
      01 July 2016 6% 4%
      01 July 2017 6% 4%
      
      
   3. The Hostel allowance payable to hostel residents when proceeding on annual leave will also increase by 6% annually for the duration of this agreement.
      Effective Date Increase
      01 July 2015 6%
      01 July 2016 6%
      01 July 2017 6%
      
      
4. ONCE OFF PAYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES DISMISSED DUE TO MEDICAL INCAPACITY
   1. The parties agree that, with immediate effect, the once-off payment of R15 0000.00 will be increased to R20 000.00 and will be paid to an employee whose contract has been terminated on medical grounds, provided that the employee has not been compensated previously in this regard except in the case of incapacity as a result of mine accident.
      
      
5. REPLACEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES DISMISSED DUE TO MEDICAL INCAPACITY
   1. The parties agree that, with immediate effect, employees dismissed due to medical incapacity will make the name of a family member available as a replacement for the dismissed employee. The replacement will be appointed in the A3 band, with the proviso that the replacement individual is able to obtain a Medical Certificate of Fitness.
      
      
6. MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE
   1. The parties agree that the Maternity Leave for expectant employees will be paid leave for the first 3 months of the employees’ maternity leave for employees going on maternity leave on or after 1 August 2015
   2. The Paternity Leave will increase to 7 calendar days paid leave in the event of an employee’s child being born. Reasonable proof (birth certificate) must be submitted by the employee upon return to work.

NUM members at Northam Platinum are quite pleased and excited that the wage agreement was concluded without any strike, violence, intimidation and loss of life.

For more information, Please contact:

Ecliff Tantsi: NUM National Education Secretary and Chief Negotiator at Northam Platinum:082 941 4210
Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

ADDRESS:
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick,
Johannesburg 2001
Tel: 011 377 2111
Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>
Twitter: @Num Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167