Media releases

12 July 2010

Today, 12 July 2010, SATAWU members at Richards Bay Coal Terminal ("RBCT") embarked on a strike rejecting a 9.5% wage offer. Management has found the strike very surprising and disappointing as this wage offer is twice the inflation rate on very high minimum salaries paid at RBCT.

Raymond Chirwa, Chief Executive of RBCT says “As RBCT we are confident that we have done all we could to ensure that our employees earn a reasonable and even higher living wages than most companies.

Production at RBCT is running normally. “Our focus at this stage is to ensure that there is minimum impact on our operations. All the required machines, both on the off-loading of trains and loading of ships are fully operational. Our contingency plans are working as planned. We trust that SATAWU members will be reasonable and that they will accept this offer. RBCT will always be committed to providing an efficient and reliable service to all our users. Thank you to all employees who are willing to work to keep our production going,” says Raymond Chirwa.

We would like to appeal to SATAWU to refrain from intimidating employees who are willing to work to keep the plant running.

For more information contact:
Zama Luthuli: Corporate Affairs Manager
083 399 3111. Email: zluthuli@rbct.co.za
On behalf of Raymond Chirwa, Chief Executive Officer. RBCT