Thursday, November 21, 2013

South African Miners Continue Strike Actions at Northam and Glencore

Northam Platinum strike continues

19 November 2013

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has resolved to continue with the strike at Northam Platinum after a mass meeting with the members today.

NUM Chief Negotiator at Northam Platinum Ecliff Tantsi said the reason of holding a mass meeting today was to brief members about a CCMA facilitated process which was held last week Friday to try and resolve the wage dispute with Northam Platinum.

Tantsi said no agreement was reached with the Northam Platinum management on Friday and unfortunately the strike continues

"It was resolved in the mass meeting today that the strike must continue. Workers further resolved that we must march to Northam Platinum head office on Tuesday next week in Johannesburg. Workers have also resolved to stick with their demands which are currently on the table. Northam Platinum management must be replaced as it is at sea in so far as negotiations are concerned," he said.

The NUM is still open for further negotiations with the company and we would be on stand by 24 hours.

The NUM members have resolved to continue with this peaceful and bloodless strike.

The strike continues.

For more information, Please contact

Ecliff Tantsi- (Chief Negotiator)-082 941 4210

Livhuwani Mammburu: 083 809 3257 (Acting NUM spokesperson)
National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street
Cnr Frederick
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257

Web: www.num.org.za

Twitter: @Num_Media

"Socialist societies that create better living conditions for the people are unconsciously carrying out what we men of faith consider God`s projects in history," said Brazilian liberation theologist Frei Betto.


COSATU NW support demands of striking Glencor workers

19 November 2013

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West has learned that the workers at Glencor mine have embarked on a strike underground.

COSATU is informed that the management at the company want the workers to work unpaid overtime. In the view of COSATU this is exploitation and it cannot be allowed to continue unchallenged.

If workers do not want to work overtime the employer cannot legally force workers to work overtime, and for nothing for that matter.

That is super-exploitation and we demand that the Department of Mineral Resources intervene as a matter of urgency. The safety of our members comes first.

COSATU is also informed that the company has failed to provide protective clothing, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the working conditions are also not safe.

The workers are also demanding better wages in order for them to improve their leaving conditions.

COSATU calls on the company to adhere to the labour laws of the country and pay those workers overtime and make sure that the workers have protective clothing and their working environment is safe.

We call on the employer to respect the laws and respect the conditions of all workers. We demand that the employer must meet with NUMSA as a matter of urgency and resolve the issues and no worker must be dismissed.

COSATU calls on the Department of Mineral Resources to intervene urgently on this matter.

For more information contact Solly Phetoe the Provincial Secretary of COSATU North West at 082 304 4055

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