28 November 2007
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the mining companies — as represented by the Chamber of Mines — met yesterday with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
At the meeting it was formalized that next Tuesday, 4 December 2007, the workers will embark on strike action.
According to NUM the reason for the strike is to highlight the accidents that are happening on a daily basis as a result of rock falls and other mine accidents, that the union believes can be prevented.
“The NUM finally got the go ahead from the CCMA to stage a stay-away,” says NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka.
“Well obviously we have anticipated that there was a possibility of this course of action by members of the NUM. We believe that this is not the best course of action.
“We all agree that unions and companies/employees must work together to improve safety and health on mines,” says Goldfields Andrew Davidson.
Some of the companies facing this action are
In the Gold Sector:
· AngloGold Ashanti
· Goldfields
· Harmony Gold
In the Platinum and the Coal sector:
· Angloplatinum
· Impala Platinum
· Lonmin
· Anglo Operations
· Delmas Colliery
· Exxaro Resources
· Ingwe collieries
· Kangra group
· Sasol Mining
· Twee Waters Fuel
· Umcebo mining
· Xstrata
These are just a few of the mines that will be hit. According to NUM this will be the first industry-wide strike to hit mining industry since mining began. Meanwhile, trade unions globally are sending protest and memorandums to various South African embassies to push them to act on the genocide that is unfolding in the mining industry.
No comments:
Post a Comment