Dismissed workers at the Bokoni platinum mine in Limpopo have vowed to stay outside the premises until management agreed to negotiate directly with them, the workers' labour forum said on Monday.
“Management said they do not recognise the workers' labour forum... however, the Labour Relations Act makes provision for workers to negotiate directly with employers through workplace forums like ours,” spokesman Elias Juba said.
The dismissed workers gathered outside the mine premises on Monday to hear feedback from their leaders. The forum had held a meeting with management over the weekend.
More than 2000 Bokoni workers were fired for participating in the illegal strike last month. Formal dismissal notices were issued after a disciplinary hearing.
Juba said management indicated it would hold talks with unions only.
“We told them that we do not want any union to speak for workers. The situation remains the same as we speak.”
Mine spokesman Joel Kesler could not immediately be reached for comment.
Limpopo police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto said police were monitoring the situation at the mine. - Sapa