/ 27 January 2014

Amcu briefs members, strike continues

Amcu says strikes will continue until a resolution had been reached.
Amcu says strikes will continue until a resolution had been reached.

Striking mineworkers at Rustenburg platinum mines gathered on Monday morning for a briefing, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said.

"We are gathering to brief workers about what transpired at the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] meeting on Friday and the continuing talks," said Lazarus Khoza, branch shop steward at Amplats Khuseleka mine.

He said the strike would continue until a resolution had been reached.

"Our demands have not changed," he said by phone.

Workers singing struggle songs could be heard in the background.

Entry-level wage
Members of Amcu went on strike at Impala Platinum (Implats), Lonmin and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) on Thursday, demanding an entry-level salary of R12 500 a month.

The union, employers, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant and Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu met at the CCMA offices in Johannesburg on Friday in a bid to resolve the strike.

The talks were scheduled to continue in Pretoria from Monday to Wednesday.

Amplats chief executive Chris Griffith, Implats chief executive Terence Goodlace and Lonmin chief executive Ben Magara said recently that a prolonged strike would probably further damage South Africa's reputation as an attractive business and investment destination. – Sapa