JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) planned to issue a 48-hour strike notice on platinum producers Impala Platinum (Implats) and Lonmin on Monday, the union’s national treasurer Jimmy Gama confirmed on Friday.
The union, which has been entangled in wage disputes with several mining companies in the gold and platinum sectors, secured several nonresolution certificates from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, allowing its members to strike at Implats, Lonmin and fellow platinum miner Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).
Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said the company was aware of the intention to strike after it emerged at a Thursday meeting that AMCU planned “to take the platinum belt”, but they had not received a confirmation and were not certain whether the strike would actually go ahead.
Implats group executive for corporate relations Johan Theron said the company had not received any strike notice or formal communication from AMCU that the union intends to issue a strike notice.
"However, we have taken note of several media reports that they have apparently communicated their intention to do so to their members," he said.
AMCU was seeking a minimum monthly wage of R12 500 for entry-level workers at Amplats and Lonmin, and just over R8 500 for workers at Implats – a reduction on the R12 500-a-month demands made last year.