The Sibanye-Stillwater’s CEO Neal Froneman says it is disappointing that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have chosen to strike despite ongoing engagements.

Workers affiliated with AMCU and NUM are expected to down tools at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold mines on Wednesday.

The strike will take place in the Free State and Gauteng from Wednesday evening.

The unions demand an increase of R1 000 for surface and underground miners and 6% for artisans, miners, and officials.

Froneman told Jacaranda News it is disappointing that the two unions have chosen to strike. He says the offer made to the unions was fair.

“The offer is final, wage increases that are higher than inflation are not sustainable and cannot be considered,” says Froneman.

NUM National spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, accuses the company of being arrogant and says this left unions with no choice but to embark on a strike.

“The NUM has not been willing to undergo industrial action but given the arrogance of Sibanye Stillwater, the union is forced to embark on nationwide industrial action that will change the gold mining landscape forever. The captains of the industry have continuously awarded themselves huge bonuses while mineworkers are earning poverty wages,” says Mammburu.

He adds that the mineworkers will be on strike until their demands are met.

“The union has noted the arrogance of the employers in maintaining that they are unshakable in their 5% and R700 pittance offer.

The NUM is unshakable too in its demand for a living wage and as such the Sibanye Stillwater final offer would meet the union‘s final demand and there shall be dust on the streets of Carletonville and Welkom.”

Jacaranda News