Mining company Exxaro on Wednesday said it would apply for an urgent court interdict to prevent over 7000 workers from going on strike in protest against a proposed restructuring.
“We confirm that we today received a strike notice from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM),” the company’s finance spokesperson Wim de Klerk said.
“We are approaching the Labour Court on an urgent basis … declaring such strike action unprotected.”
The union announced it would strike from Monday as it was unhappy about company changes that would leave people without jobs.
“They want to expand their operations yet retrench at least 300 workers across Exxaro … it makes us disappointed,” NUM’s collective bargaining head Khaya Blaai said.
He said a letter had already been issued to employees for voluntary severance packages.
“They are unilaterally implementing the restructuring without proper consultation. Management wants to maximise profits to pay out good BEE dividends at the expense of the workers.”
De Klerk said the company was doing everything possible to limit the impact on employees, and all options would be examined.
“Exxaro has previously communicated to stakeholders that it is restructuring parts of the group to improve productivity, reduce cost of services and operations, and streamline its organisational structures.”
Blaai said the strike would be put on hold as soon as someone with authority discussed their grievances.
“Ever since they have invited us to sit with them to consult on these issues, they send people with no decision-making powers. They then go back to management and we end up at square one.”
All Exxaro operations except Zincor and Rosh Pinah would be affected by the strike. De Klerk said contingency plans were in place to avoid or limit the effect on production and product supply. — Sapa