Judge slams Amcu violence and rejects secondary strike
‘It is, indeed, a sad reality that there has been a track record of violence and intimidation where industrial action has taken place’
SA’s labour court has prevented a secondary strike across the country’s gold, platinum and vanadium industries, ruling that such an action would be unprotected. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said it would appeal against the judgment. Amcu had called for the seven-day secondary or sympathy strikes across a range of companies to support its 14,000 striking members at Sibanye-Stillwater’s three gold mines, who downed tools on November 21 in demand of higher wages. Sibanye has steadfastly said it will not entertain any increase in wages for Amcu because it has already signed a wage deal with three other unions. There is a process under way to determine whether Amcu holds a narrow majority of workers at Kloof, Driefontein and Beatrix, or if the other three unions have since become the majority. The four-month strike has been marked by the death of nine people and the burning of more than 60 houses in the Carletonville area in strike-related violence and int...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.