Marula strike comes to end in separate union solutions

THE strike action of 2 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) at Marula Mine near Burgersfort who shut down two mining shafts ended yesterday (Tuesday) with personnel going back to their jobs.

The unprotected strike, which started on Friday, was embarked on in order to demand a 7% salary increment, which had apparently been agreed upon by the union and the employer, Impala Platinum.

Isaak Phoko, union leader at the mine, said problems started when workers started speaking about the 7% salary increment that was secured recently during negotiations.

He said workers believe that Num and the management of the mine were a team, and could not fathom why the agreement was being ignored.

“Num has potential members, but the majority of workers want the Association of Mining and Construction Union (AMCU) to be recognised in the mine. They believe that Num is no longer representing the interests of workers.

“The management came to us on Monday and promised they would engage us in negotiations.

“We know the strike was illegal, but we were expressing our anger. We are returning back to our (mine) shafts because they are now attending to our problems,” Phoko said.

This strike came a week after rival union AMCU signed a wage settlement ending a five-month strike in the platinum belt.

Num regional secretary William Mabapa said there were two agreements; one which was signed by Num, and one which was signed by Amcu.

Impala Platinum spokesperson Johan Theron said each part of the wage deal had its own advantages.