Amplats unions not received grievances

File image: Reuters

File image: Reuters

Published Sep 25, 2012

Share

Trade unions organising at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) have not received striking workers' grievances, the union said on Tuesday.

“Unions have not received grievances from workers. They refuse to use us,” said UASA operations manager Israel Sakala.

He said workers had instead elected a committee to represent them.

“We (unions) have an agreement with management. That agreement needs all signatories to be reviewed. UASA called on workers to return to work and allow bargaining agents to table their grievances,” he said.

He said the number of workers reporting for work was declining every day.

“Some workers are staying away because of intimidation,” he said.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said it was meeting with workers on Tuesday to hear their grievances.

“We do not have anything from them. We are meeting with them today (Tuesday),” said spokesman Lesiba Seshoka.

Amplats workers went on a wildcat strike two weeks ago, demanding a salary increase of R17,000.

The workers' representatives and mine management were meeting with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation ad Arbitration (CCMA) in Rustenburg on Tuesday, in an attempt to find common ground.

One of the workers' leaders Tebogo Lebeke said they would hold a mass meeting on Wednesday to report back to the workers on their meeting at the CCMA.

Amplats said on Friday, that less than 20 percent of its workforce had reported for work.

“The company continues to urge employees to return to work and requires that they do so by no later than the night shift on Monday, failing which legal avenues will be pursued,” spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said in a statement.

She said the increase in police visibility had created an environment conducive for workers to return to work. - Sapa

Related Topics: