More problem for FQ:
“Zambia Mining Union Wants to Reopen Pay Talks With First Quantum By Matthew Hill Dec 10, 2013 9:05 AM
The Mineworkers Union of Zambia says it wants to restart wage negotiations with a First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (FM) unit after workers rejected a deal it signed.
Employees declined to accept the wage deal negotiated by the union at First Quantum’s Kansanshi copper mine, Joseph Chewe, secretary general of the labor group, said today by mobile phone from Lusaka, the capital. The agreement was signed on Nov. 27, according to Godfrey Msiska, a spokesman for the operation. Government approved the deal, which includes a 10 percent pay increase next year, on Dec. 4, he said in reply to e-mailed questions. Kansanshi is Africa’s largest copper mine.
“There were some mistakes that the union made,” Chewe said. “There was a very sharp reaction on behalf of the members.”
Workers rejected the three-year tenure of the deal, which provides for a further 8 percent rise in 2015 and 9 percent in 2016, Chewe said. Msiska declined to comment when asked if the Kansanshi mine will consider restarting wage talks.
Kansanshi workers went on a pay strike in March last year. Zambia is Africa’s biggest copper producer.”
AI
