The New Age reported on Monday that the wage strike at copper producer Palabora Mining Company entered its thirteenth day on Sunday, leaving operations at a virtual standstill.
Company spokesperson Lydia Radebe said that even though the strike was protected and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) had agreed to peaceful action, the company had in the past week noted a significant increase in acts if intimidation of non-striking workers and contractors exiting and entering the mine premises. To protect non-striking employees, the management has advised them to stay at home until further notice. The striking workers denied acts of intimidation. Amcu members downed tools on 3 May demanding, among other items, a 12% wage hike for 2017, 11% for 2018 and 10% for 2019, as well as housing and other work-related benefits. This was after talks with unions, including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), deadlocked when the employer offered 8% for 2017 and 7% for 2018 and 2019. The NUM is not involved in the strike.
- Read this report by Montsho Matlala in full on page 23 of The New Age of 15 May 2017
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