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Rustenberg - While the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) looks set to continue protesting against job cuts at Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS], at least one worker is concerned about the no work, no pay policy.
Around 2 000 striking Amcu workers rallied on Monday at Amplats over the retrenchment of 3 300 workers.
Union leaders said the strike will continue on Tuesday.
"We are leaving for Johannesburg, they called us for a meeting, but the strike continues," said Gaddafi Mdoda, a local union leader.
He said striking workers would meet again at the Thembelani shaft for a report on the meeting.
"We will give feedback tomorrow [Tuesday] on what happened in the meeting."
"We hope the employer will reconsider the decision to retrench workers," he said.
Thebe Maswabi, an Amcu branch chairperson, told Reuters: "If they do not meet us at least half way, the strike will continue."
Now in its fourth day, the strike has hit production at the mining company, which is still reeling from labour unrest last year.
The company said it needs to drastically cut jobs to return to profit.
One of the workers, Amos Menzi, from the Eastern Cape, said it would be better if the strike was not prolonged because workers were losing money.
"I think we should be paid for the days we are on strike because the strike is protected. But now it is 'no work, no pay', meaning we are losing money on the days we are on strike."
Police in armoured vehicles looked on as miners marched and waved sticks in a barren field near the company's Thembelani Mine near the mining town of Rustenburg.
"It is not fair for the mine to retrench workers and hire contractors in their place. It is painful to see people you know being retrenched," Paku Litau said.
"Some of us are from Lesotho and have been working in the mines for a very long time. This is the only job I can do. I do not think I will be able to do another job."
He said he had been working as a rock drill operator since 1990.
"I have worked in various South African mines. I do not see retrenched workers doing well in other jobs; even though they could be trained their heart will be at the mine."
The company announced in January that 14 000 jobs would be cut as part of its restructuring process.
"We have previously stated that the company is under tremendous economic pressure. Strikes and work stoppages will result in further losses that will hamper plans for future sustainability and further threaten the future of our 45 000 employees," CEO Chris Griffith said in a statement.
He said the company would continue to talk with Amcu through established channels to try to bring the business to normality.
- Sapa, Reuters
Around 2 000 striking Amcu workers rallied on Monday at Amplats over the retrenchment of 3 300 workers.
Union leaders said the strike will continue on Tuesday.
"We are leaving for Johannesburg, they called us for a meeting, but the strike continues," said Gaddafi Mdoda, a local union leader.
He said striking workers would meet again at the Thembelani shaft for a report on the meeting.
"We will give feedback tomorrow [Tuesday] on what happened in the meeting."
"We hope the employer will reconsider the decision to retrench workers," he said.
Thebe Maswabi, an Amcu branch chairperson, told Reuters: "If they do not meet us at least half way, the strike will continue."
Now in its fourth day, the strike has hit production at the mining company, which is still reeling from labour unrest last year.
The company said it needs to drastically cut jobs to return to profit.
One of the workers, Amos Menzi, from the Eastern Cape, said it would be better if the strike was not prolonged because workers were losing money.
"I think we should be paid for the days we are on strike because the strike is protected. But now it is 'no work, no pay', meaning we are losing money on the days we are on strike."
Police in armoured vehicles looked on as miners marched and waved sticks in a barren field near the company's Thembelani Mine near the mining town of Rustenburg.
"It is not fair for the mine to retrench workers and hire contractors in their place. It is painful to see people you know being retrenched," Paku Litau said.
"Some of us are from Lesotho and have been working in the mines for a very long time. This is the only job I can do. I do not think I will be able to do another job."
He said he had been working as a rock drill operator since 1990.
"I have worked in various South African mines. I do not see retrenched workers doing well in other jobs; even though they could be trained their heart will be at the mine."
The company announced in January that 14 000 jobs would be cut as part of its restructuring process.
"We have previously stated that the company is under tremendous economic pressure. Strikes and work stoppages will result in further losses that will hamper plans for future sustainability and further threaten the future of our 45 000 employees," CEO Chris Griffith said in a statement.
He said the company would continue to talk with Amcu through established channels to try to bring the business to normality.
- Sapa, Reuters
