[miningmx.com] – THE Associated Mineworkers & Construction Union (AMCU) was entitled to call a strike at mines where it was the majority union, according to South African deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe.
Speaking to Bloomberg News, Motlanthe said: “What would have normally applied across the board can’t apply to them without their consent at that mine because they’re the majority union. It would be a legal strike.’
AMCU is the majority union at the three of South Africa’s largest mines, owned by Sibanye Gold, AngloGold Ashanti and Harmony Gold. It represents about 19% of total employed in the gold sector.
The Chamber of Mines said last week that AMCU would have to accept the 8% wage offer agreed with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and other unions because those unions represented the majority of total industry workers.
AMCU is calling for a 120% increase to the basic wage of entry-level workers, such as rock drill operators, which would take their basic pay to about R12,000 per month. A NUM strike earlier this month on demands for a 100% pay increase last three days.
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