Amcu members vote to strike
THE ASSOCIATION of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) is expected to flex its muscle in the gold industry after thousands of T-shirt clad members yesterday voted by a show of hands in favour of a strike for higher pay during a mass meeting at Sibanye Gold’s Driefontein Mine.
The strike would hit gold majors AngloGold Ashanti, Sibanye Gold and Harmony Gold, but not immediately, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa told supporters.
The union was planning to first tackle outstanding issues stemming from previous wage negotiations, he said.
“It is almost December, and some of you will say we don’t want to strike because we have to buy school uniforms for our children and pay their school fees,” Mathunjwa said, speaking ahead of the vote.
“I say you must pay off all your debt now and buy school uniforms for your children because we will have a 10 month strike, not a five-month strike,” Mathunjwa added, referring to last year’s five-month wage strike led by Amcu in the platinum belt where it holds a majority.
Amcu is the second-biggest union in the gold sector, having grown to 30 percent representation across all gold companies to date from 17 percent in 2013.
Amcu would delay serving a 48-hour notice to strike, he said, until the Supreme Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on a 2014 decision of the Labour Court upholding an interim order preventing it from embarking on protected strike action at certain gold mining operations.
Agreement
The Chamber of Mines spokeswoman Charmane Russell said both AngloGold Ashanti and Harmony had reached an agreement with the majority of employees.
“Already employees are starting to receive increases and back pay,” she said. “Any industrial action would be unprotected and employees would be open to disciplinary action and possibly dismissal.”
Sibanye is engaging with Amcu and wishes to come to an agreement with all unions. Amcu has indicated it will engage with Sibanye.
The chamber believes that an agreement with all unions is first prize and remains within reach. While any industrial action here would be protected, the principle of no work, no pay will apply. So, not only would the company be affected but employees and communities too.
The strike puts a spanner in the works for AngloGold Ashanti and Harmony after signing a three-year wage deal with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), trade union Solidarity and Uasa early this month.
The three unions combined are a majority at the mines, meaning that the agreement is to be extended to Amcu members, and the company can seek a court interdict against the strike.
Harmony and AngloGold want us to go on strike… They want us to make it easy for them to close mines.
Mathunjwa said: “Harmony Gold and AngloGold Ashanti want us to go on strike. If we give 48 hour-notice to strike now they will run to court. They want us to make it easy for them to close the mines without giving what is due to you, they want to endanger jobs.”
Amcu rejected the offer and was awarded certificates of non-resolution by the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, which enables the union to embark on a protected strike after a 48hour notice.
Sibanye is in a difficult situation and opted not to sign an agreement with the unions because Amcu has 42 percent representation, while the NUM has 43 percent and Solidarity and Uasa have 7 percent representation.
“Sibanye did not sign the deal; this can be interpreted as the company opening the door for new negotiations that will result in a better deal for employees,” Mathunjwa said to a rousing applause.
Increases
Amcu wants a R1 200 monthly increase despite Sibanye offering R675 a month in the first year, R700 a month in the second year and R725 a month in the third year.
Harmony offered an increase of R600 a month in the first year, R625 a month in the second and R650 a month in the third. AngloGold Ashanti has offered a R750 monthly increase in the first year, R775 a month in the second and R800 a month in the third.
A strike could turn up the heat on union rivalry in the gold sector if companies sign a new deal with Amcu.
Mathunjwa challenged the NUM members to join Amcu for better working conditions.
“In the gold sector we are saying all NUM members must join Amcu so we can change the mines. No other unions other than Amcu will transform the mining industry,” he said.