A growing group of striking mineworkers has begun marching in protest against Lonmin’s call for miners to return to work.
Mining firms faced the logistical challenge of contacting 70 000 miners around the country when they decided to sidestep Amcu in wage negotiations.
A fund to help mineworkers will receive a boost as residents and businesses in the North West platinum belt continue to face economic hardships.
Mining companies approaching workers directly with their latest offer could lead to instability on the platinum belt, according to the union.
At an undisclosed location, mine representatives will continue to meet with Amcu – whose members downed tools demanding a basic salary of R12 500.
The majority union on the platinum belt will meet with mining bosses on Tuesday for the companies to explain their latest offer.
The platinum strike has entered its 11th week and employees want to return to work but are being intimidated, says Lonmin chief executive Ben Magara.
The ongoing mineworkers’ strike in the platinum belt has reached a stage where the financial impact is becoming irreversible, say mining heads.
The ongoing strike in the platinum belt is having a detrimental effect on the pockets of not only miners, but the community at large.
Anglo American Platinum could see its rally in stocks reversing once the effects of the Amcu strike are calculated, says Imara SP Reid.
Negotiations between the world’s three largest platinum producers and the majority union have stalled as protest actions ensue in the North West.
The mineworkers’ union is back at the table with platinum producers in an attempt to end the now two-week mineworker strike.
Government-led talks between major platinum mines and dominant union Amcu have resumed in Pretoria as the strike enters its third day.
An estimated 100 000 miner workers affiliated to Amcu went on strike on Thursday to demand major wage increases.
Amcu members demanding a R12 500 minimum wage, have downed tools at Amplats, Implats and Lonmin mine in the North West.
While Solidarity says a strike by Amcu members would yield no results, the labour minister says the market is entering a turbulent period.
At least 70 000 Amcu members plan to down tools at the country’s biggest platinum mines on Thursday.
The rand has dropped to fresh five-year lows as majority union Amcu decides whether to strike at the country’s three biggest platinum mines.
Amcu has received permission to strike at Lonmin over demands for a minimum basic wage of R12 500 per month for its members.
As the former majority union, the NUM now falls very short of representing enough works to allow it organisational rights at the platinum mine.
If the platinum miner disputes the action, the union may bring an urgent application before the labour court.
Amcu has threatened to serve a 48-hour strike notice if they don’t get what they want by Wednesday, but Lonmin says an agreement can be reached.
The largest labor union at Lonmin will serve a 48-hour strike notice if an agreement is not reached on recognising it as the majority union.
The National Union of Mineworkers is up against the wall as it cries conspiracy since eight of its members have been suspended over fraud allegations.
Deadly rivalry between the two unions at the Lonmin mine was further stoked after eight workers were suspended over alleged union membership fraud.
Lonmin has back-pedalled on its agreement to give the NUM until July to vacate its Marikana offices, pushing the deadline up to May 31.
Lonmin has appointed Anglo American Platinum’s Ben Magara as its new chief executive as it strives to rebound from last year’s wave of deadly strikes.
The Farlam commission of inquiry has made an appeal to the media to hand over any unseen footage of the August 16 shooting at Marikana, North West.
Lonmin says it’s trying to change, but union infighting continues to plague the mine.
Despite a strong recovery from last year’s Marikana tragedy, tension between labour unions Amcu and NUM hinder Lonmin platinum mine’s output levels.
Workers at Lonmin’s Saffy and Newman shafts in Marikana have stopped working in the largest single strike since the shooting at the mine last year.
Cyril Ramaphosa is quitting the boards of paper-maker Mondi and platinum producer Lonmin to prevent conflicts with his new political role.