Galaxy Gold Reef Mine workers furious over decision to retrench them
Though there is no official comment from Galaxy regarding the laying off of the workers, the labourers claim that they have been told that the mine was experiencing financial distress.
BARBERTON – The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said it wanted Galaxy Gold Reef Mine, formerly known as Agnes, to reinstate all laid-off employees. It also wanted no further downsizing on currently employed workers.
More than 70 received letters informing them about their retrenchment on October 10.
Nhlanhla Mazibuko, Amcu regional organiser in Mpumalanga, said the mine didn’t follow labour legislation when it laid off workers, despite the fact that the majority of them were members.
“There were no prior notices about the retrenchments. Our members reported for duty on the day (Thursday October 10) and were surprised when they were told that they were being downsized and that they should go back home,” said Mazibuko.
He said as a union representing the majority of the workers in the mine, it was supposed to have been engaged by the employer before the decision to lay off the affected employees was reached.
“We will not accept the retrenchments of our workers because Galaxy failed to engage us and did not explore all possible alternatives as envisaged in the labour legislation,” said Mazibuko.
Last Tuesday workers became angry when they found out that 75 labourers had been retrenched. They blockaded the entrance to the mine. Police kept watch.
The downsized workers have vowed to continue their strike until the company stops laying off people.
“We are not going to retreat until Galaxy backs down. We will accept nothing less than zero retrenchment,” said one worker, Denis Mabuza.
Though there is no official comment from Galaxy regarding the laying off of the workers, the labourers claim that they have been told that the mine was experiencing financial distress.
Their termination notices, which were shown to Barberton Times, only informed the employees about retrenching them, but no reasons were given.
This newspaper’s attempt to obtain comment from Galaxy general manager, Duane Koch was unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
On Monday, Amcu and Galaxy held a last-minute meeting at the Galaxy offices in a bid to avoid further downsizing.
