NUM on recruitment drive

Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is focused on recruiting new members and retaining those they have in a bid to up its numbers since the formation of rival union Amcu.

"We have to recruit in a different way," general secretary Frans Baleni told the NUM's bargaining council conference in Midrand, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"We need to recruit in a manner in which we grow. Recruitment must happen everywhere... We must not give up."

He said those who had left the NUM because of intimidation were returning to the union.

There has been rivalry between the NUM and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu). The NUM lost a huge number of members in 2012 during the strike on the North West platinum belt. This resulted in the union losing its recognition status at most of the mines.

Baleni said the NUM's strategic goals would be recruitment, retention of members and service delivery to its members.

"We need quality service to members in order to retain them."

He said leaders had to show empathy and had to be available 24 hours a day. Those who were not would be sidelined or removed.

"We must understand we are working for others. Leaders must be accountable," Baleni said.

He asked delegates attending the conference to discuss, during commissions, ways in which the union should recruit.