/ 24 May 2012

End to unprotected strike for Implats workers

Impala Platinum employees
Impala Platinum employees

Night shift duties resumed on Wednesday, Implats said in a statement on Thursday.

“Management will attempt to make up some of the lost production (6000 platinum ounces) during the next six months through working extra production shifts.”

Workers downed tools on Monday night following the arrest of two of their colleagues. The pair was arrested following violent clashes between members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).

Kahayaletho Mzimeli, 25, and Sibongile Sidadla, 40, were arrested in connection with the shooting of a colleague last Thursday. The two are believed to be AMCU members.

“We are also in discussion… to persuade them to stop the unnecessary conflict through the establishment of a joint interim workers committee,” Implats said.

“Implats confirms that management has commissioned a process to verify claims by the AMCU that they represent more than 10 000 of our employees.”