Bloomberg reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) started a strike at Kroondal platinum mine, which Sibanye bought last month, on Thursday.
Sibanye acquired the operation through its purchase of Aquarius Platinum. Amcu spokesman Manzini Zungu indicated: “The strike is about traveling allowances, management not providing transport, safety bonuses, drilling allowances and risk allowances. Management rejected their (the workers) demands regarding the above and they have engaged with them since January this year.” Sibanye was in the process of seeking a court order to stop the strike, spokesman James Wellsted advised. He wasn’t immediately able to say how many workers were participating in the stoppage. Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of rival trade union Solidarity, noted in a statement that the strike commenced before the end of a 48-hour notice of the action, making it unprotected.
- Read this report by Paul Burkhardt and Kevin Crowley in full at Bloomberg
- Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity online
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page