Amcu strike at gold mine announced

Mining group Sibanye-Stillwater received notice from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) yesterday that its members would embark on a protected strike at the miner’s gold operations starting tomorrow.

The company has signed a three-year wage agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity and union UASA for increases to the basic wages of category four to eight surface and underground employees of R700 per month in the first and second years, and R825 per month in the third year.

Amcu did not sign the offer after several months of negotiations. Sibanye said Amcu’s demands were unaffordable.

In September, Amcu signed an agreement with AngloGold Ashanti for a R1 000 increment for category four to eight mineworkers and a 6.5% increment for miners and artisans and officials. This would mean that no miner would earn less than R14 000 per month, even at entry level.

The union held a mass meeting on Sunday at Sibanye’s Driefontein mine where it was decided to give the company a 48-hour strike notice.

Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman said the average basic wages for category four to eight employees were significantly above inflation and had increased by more than 65% since Sibanye was unbundled from Gold Fields in 2013.

He added that the wage agreement reached with NUM, Solidarity and UASA was well in excess of inflation.

“It is disappointing that Amcu leadership has chosen this course of action despite ongoing engagement with Amcu representatives since June,” Froneman said.

“The agreement we reached with the other unions is fair and final and considers the current challenges facing our gold operations.

“We will honour this agreement and have made a commitment that we will not increase the offer.”

Sibanye employs approximately 32 200 people at its South African gold operations, with Amcu representing 43% of employees in the bargaining unit.

Froneman said the offer accepted by the other unions was being implemented across the gold operations, and all employees, including Amcu members, would benefit from the increase.

“The fact that Amcu national leadership is willing to take its members out on strike ahead of the December holiday period is very unfortunate and irresponsible, given the financial consequences a strike will have on our employees and their families,” Froneman said.

“Employees who go on strike will not receive wages. We will not be increasing our offer, so the decision by Amcu leadership to call a strike is perplexing and of grave concern.” – ANA