NUM+calls+the+Kumba+strike+off

PRESS RELEASE, August 07 2006
=NUM CALLS THE KUMBA STRIKE OFF=

Following a series of engagements among its members over the weekend and this morning, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has today called the strike at Kumba Resources off. The week - long strike also saw the leadership of both parties stepping in on Friday to assist with finding a solution to was destined to be a crippling strike for Kumba.

"Our members are pleased with the outcome as presented to them after our talks with the Chief Executive of Kumba. We allowed for consultations over the weekend in order for us to get proper feedback today. The discipline of our members while on strike deserves praise and their ability to compromise for purposes of settling the strike, even though they thought they still had an upper hand is commendable in that it demonstrates maturity", said Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary.

The company made a revised offer of a 9% wage increase for lower earners and a 7.75% for higher earners. It is understood that various allowances would then be used to push the percentage earnings to 8%.

"We need to engage the company after our own assessment of the strike so we can frankly talk about some of the things that could have caused this strike. One must recall that, before this action, it's been 19 years since we had a strike in Kumba. Now either management has begun to take things for granted or there are those who thought we couldn't the strike off. Hats off to BAMCWU, small as it is, because they showed what worker solidarity is about - beginning and ending the strike together, acting as a collective", Jackie Thsimanegape, NUM Coordinator at Kumba.

Workers will be returning to work today.


 * Moferefere Lekorotsoana**
 * HEAD: PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION**
 * Tel: 27.11.377-2000 (reception)**
 * 27.11.377-2036 (direct)**
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