JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Trade union Solidarity on Friday said it had filed an urgent application for an interim interdict to prevent mining group Assmang from terminating the union’s recognition agreement with the company and implementing a unilateral agency agreement.
It said Assmang, a joint undertaking of African Rainbow Minerals (Arm) and Assore, had previously announced that Solidarity was no longer recognised as a trade union in the workplace, as it did not meet the minimum representation threshold for recognition.
Solidarity’s application concerned the union’s recognition agreement at Assmang’s Khumani, Beeshoek and Black Rock mines, in the Northern Cape.
Solidarity said in a statement on Friday that it represented the majority of employees in the category C occupational bands.
“By applying the majority principle and excluding a certain group of employees, they are being alienated, leading to frustration. This approach to labour relations is courting conflict,” cautioned Solidarity general-secretary Gideon du Plessis.
Assmang confirmed on Monday that it was in receipt of the urgent application brought by Solidarity, and was "carefully considering its position, which was sub-judice".