Mining group Sibanye Gold says it has entered into discussions with the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and that the union has agreed to suspend any industrial action at the group’s operations while engagement continues with AMCU and other representative unions.
Sibanye announced on Monday that AMCU had served the company with notice to commence industrial action in respect of the 2015 wage negotiations. The protected industrial action was due to have started from the afternoon shift on Wednesday.
Sibanye has four mining operations – Beatrix‚ Cooke‚ Driefontein and Kloof – which operate mines near Westonaria and Carletonville west of Johannesburg as well as near Virginia and Welkom in the Free State.
UPDATE
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has suspended a planned industrial action to allow negotiations to run smoothly with Sibanye Gold mine representatives.
Amcu spokesman Manzini Zungu told Sowetan a while ago that they wanted to allow time for talks between the union and the mine.
“We cannot continue with negotiations while there is a lot of noise. We are currently in talks with the mine about matters on the table‚” he said.
On Monday‚ Amcu said it had issued Sibanye with a 48-hour strike notice.
“This is with exception of the members who form part of the essential services. Members who act under shared and protection services cannot go on strike‚” said the statement from Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa’s office.
“Furthermore‚ all members from Cookes 1‚ 2 3 and 4 cannot go on strike tomorrow as we are pending the further Labour Court argument on Friday‚ 08 April 2016‚” it said.
Mathunjwa’s office said during the 2015 gold wage negotiations‚ Sibanye was offering R675 for the first year and would add R50 for the next two years for three years . This first offer was initially rejected by all unions.
“The second offer from the employer of R1‚000 was rejected by our members as this did not include any benefits of which our members rightfully deserve‚” the statement said.
Amcu is demanding a salary increase of up to R12‚500 a month from Sibanye.
“We are ready for this battle as we are not fearful and are determined to break the economical shackles that these mining companies have trapped the workers with.”
In a statement on Wednesday‚ Sibanye confirmed that the strike had been suspended.
“Sibanye wishes to advise shareholders that it has entered into discussions with leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU)‚ and AMCU has agreed to suspend any industrial action at Sibanye’s operations‚ while engagement continues with AMCU and other representative unions.”
Sibanye has four mining operations – Beatrix‚ Cooke‚ Driefontein and Kloof – which operate mines near Westonaria and Carletonville west of Johannesburg as well as near Virginia and Welkom in the Free State.
AMCU suspends strike at Sibanye operations
Mining group Sibanye Gold says it has entered into discussions with the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and that the union has agreed to suspend any industrial action at the group’s operations while engagement continues with AMCU and other representative unions.
Sibanye announced on Monday that AMCU had served the company with notice to commence industrial action in respect of the 2015 wage negotiations. The protected industrial action was due to have started from the afternoon shift on Wednesday.
Sibanye has four mining operations – Beatrix‚ Cooke‚ Driefontein and Kloof – which operate mines near Westonaria and Carletonville west of Johannesburg as well as near Virginia and Welkom in the Free State.
UPDATE
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has suspended a planned industrial action to allow negotiations to run smoothly with Sibanye Gold mine representatives.
Amcu spokesman Manzini Zungu told Sowetan a while ago that they wanted to allow time for talks between the union and the mine.
“We cannot continue with negotiations while there is a lot of noise. We are currently in talks with the mine about matters on the table‚” he said.
On Monday‚ Amcu said it had issued Sibanye with a 48-hour strike notice.
“This is with exception of the members who form part of the essential services. Members who act under shared and protection services cannot go on strike‚” said the statement from Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa’s office.
“Furthermore‚ all members from Cookes 1‚ 2 3 and 4 cannot go on strike tomorrow as we are pending the further Labour Court argument on Friday‚ 08 April 2016‚” it said.
Mathunjwa’s office said during the 2015 gold wage negotiations‚ Sibanye was offering R675 for the first year and would add R50 for the next two years for three years . This first offer was initially rejected by all unions.
“The second offer from the employer of R1‚000 was rejected by our members as this did not include any benefits of which our members rightfully deserve‚” the statement said.
Amcu is demanding a salary increase of up to R12‚500 a month from Sibanye.
“We are ready for this battle as we are not fearful and are determined to break the economical shackles that these mining companies have trapped the workers with.”
In a statement on Wednesday‚ Sibanye confirmed that the strike had been suspended.
“Sibanye wishes to advise shareholders that it has entered into discussions with leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU)‚ and AMCU has agreed to suspend any industrial action at Sibanye’s operations‚ while engagement continues with AMCU and other representative unions.”
Sibanye has four mining operations – Beatrix‚ Cooke‚ Driefontein and Kloof – which operate mines near Westonaria and Carletonville west of Johannesburg as well as near Virginia and Welkom in the Free State.
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