Amcu holds key to mining stability - union

Johannesburg - The Association of Mining and Construction Union (Amcu) should use its influence in the gold mining industry to promote sustainability, trade union Solidarity said on Monday.

Amcu needed to realise that more power should be accompanied by greater responsibility, general secretary Gideon du Plessis said.

He urged Amcu to sign the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry, which was signed by Solidarity, the National Union of Mineworkers and UASA in July last year.

Among other things, the agreement binds unions to help eliminate violence and intimidation in industrial relations.

Amcu previously refused to sign the agreement.

"Amcu’s commitment to the agreement would not only be symbolic of its commitment to cohesion and unity in the industry, but would also ensure that all stakeholders commit themselves to act within a framework which would bring stability to the industry," Du Plessis said.