How a rival ‘stole’ a mine from NUM
A new wave of populism has seen Amcu establish a foothold in the platinum industry and threaten NUM’S dominance, writes
IMPALA Platinum, faced with competing demands from rival unions — the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mining and Construction Union — is seeking an outcome that leads to a multi-union environment, an end to violent competition and industrial peace, writes Carol Paton.
But recent industrial action, which led to a strike largely responsible for SA’s platinum output falling 46%, was sparked by dynamics not confined to the workplace. The populist mobilisation of poor people fed up with low incomes and wealth disparities also fuels the fire.
had more completed applications, which it would soon hand over.
Implats executive director Paul Dunne said in an interview on Monday that management, which had engaged an independent agency to verify the membership applications, had “verified the first lot of people”.
“We gave notice to the NUM in the middle of May that in excess of 8 000 employees have resigned. We think there will be more.”
Mr Dunne said that prior to the arrival of Amcu on the mine in March, the NUM had “70% of the mining workforce” of 23 000. This would put NUM’s original membership at 16 100. Now, with verification still under way, NUM membership had been halved.
The NUM has also fallen below the 50%-plus-one threshold of the total workforce of 30 000, which since 2007 has enabled the union to enjoy exclusive organisational rights at the mine.
Up until now, the NUM has refused to recognise the verification process, insisting that workers had been intimidated into joining Amcu.
Proof of this, said NUM regional secretary Sidwell Dokolwana, was that the employees had not resigned from the NUM.
Mr Dunne said in response that all employees who had indicated their willingness to join Amcu were asked by the mine time office to complete resignation forms from the NUM.
The verification process involved reconciling the two processes. “When we have completed the process we can present the facts to both unions and see what it means for the recognition agreement. We may become a multi-union workplace,” he said.
In terms of the Labour Relations Act, management is required to give the NUM a month’s notice of its intention to halt stop orders for union fees. At the month-end, stop orders for the verified resignations will be terminated. Mr Dunne said new stop orders for Amcu could be processed only after recognition.
Amcu has meanwhile declared a dispute with Implats over its demand for recognition. Mantashe, back in 1998. Based in Witbank and encouraged by workers at the colliery where he had worked, he has built up a presence for Amcu at a handful of coal mines in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Witbank. The union was registered with the Department of Labour in 2001.
But large scale success has come with the platinum mines, where he has tied up a recognition agreement with Lonmin at Karee mine and with Murray & Roberts at Aquarius. Amcu is now looking to the Klerksdorp goldfields and has already received a letter warning it to stay out of hostels.
Mr Mathunjwa says his newfound success is the result of a wave of populism stirring in mining communities.
“It is about the history of how workers were treated. If workers were misrepresented for 15 or 20 years, you can imagine the anger and frustration. We are facing a situation not of our creation. If you’re reaching the end of your working life and you’re still earning R3 000 then you will think, what the hell is going on?”