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Johannesburg - Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa claimed on Wednesday that state apparatus was being used to purge the union.
He said Amcu is being victimised by rival National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and police, adding that police had done nothing to investigate the killing and assaulting of its members by NUM.
He said the union had been excluded from processes to set up a peace agreement in the sector, led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The use of state apparatus to "purge" Amcu had left it "perplexed" and believing that only the NUM interests were being served.
Fuelling distrust
"This has fuelled distrust in the system and made it very difficult to canvas and receive a mandate for the signing of this agreement.
"As Amcu, we understand peace cannot be contained into a piece of paper but is a way of conducting oneself in day-to-day activities. Amcu is a peaceful organisation despite provocation in the workplace."
The agreement was signed in July by government, the Chamber of Mines, the NUM, the Congress of SA Trade Unions, Uasa, Solidarity and the Federation of Unions of SA.
Strike action
The platinum sector has been crippled by a protected strike headed by Amcu.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was facilitating the talks to end the strike Lonmin [JSE:LON], Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] and Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP].
The CCMA would now talk to the parties individually.
"Allowing parties an opportunity to consider and consult whilst in their constituencies is a critical part of any facilitation process," CCMA director Nerine Kahn said in a statement.
Salary demands
The union is demanding a R12 500 basic salary for miners. Around 80 000 miners downed tools on January 23.
The platinum producers proposed a three-year agreement on Thursday. The proposal was a 9% increase for A-level workers, 8.5% for B-level and 7.5% for C-level workers in the first year.
However, Mathunjwa said that union members did not want the leadership to sign a wage agreement on the offer.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant on Wednesday condemned the reports of intimidation and violence.
She said while workers who had gone on strike were exercising their right, they should also respect the right of other workers who did not want to be part of the strike.
He said Amcu is being victimised by rival National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and police, adding that police had done nothing to investigate the killing and assaulting of its members by NUM.
He said the union had been excluded from processes to set up a peace agreement in the sector, led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The use of state apparatus to "purge" Amcu had left it "perplexed" and believing that only the NUM interests were being served.
Fuelling distrust
"This has fuelled distrust in the system and made it very difficult to canvas and receive a mandate for the signing of this agreement.
"As Amcu, we understand peace cannot be contained into a piece of paper but is a way of conducting oneself in day-to-day activities. Amcu is a peaceful organisation despite provocation in the workplace."
The agreement was signed in July by government, the Chamber of Mines, the NUM, the Congress of SA Trade Unions, Uasa, Solidarity and the Federation of Unions of SA.
Strike action
The platinum sector has been crippled by a protected strike headed by Amcu.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was facilitating the talks to end the strike Lonmin [JSE:LON], Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] and Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP].
The CCMA would now talk to the parties individually.
"Allowing parties an opportunity to consider and consult whilst in their constituencies is a critical part of any facilitation process," CCMA director Nerine Kahn said in a statement.
Salary demands
The union is demanding a R12 500 basic salary for miners. Around 80 000 miners downed tools on January 23.
The platinum producers proposed a three-year agreement on Thursday. The proposal was a 9% increase for A-level workers, 8.5% for B-level and 7.5% for C-level workers in the first year.
However, Mathunjwa said that union members did not want the leadership to sign a wage agreement on the offer.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant on Wednesday condemned the reports of intimidation and violence.
She said while workers who had gone on strike were exercising their right, they should also respect the right of other workers who did not want to be part of the strike.
