Over 250 mineworkers contracted to Steel Trading in Rustenburg in North West, have downed tools following protracted negotiations with the employer to improve their working conditions and increase their salaries.
The workers, who are affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) are contracted to provide mining services to various shafts of Sibanye-Stillwater operations.
The union’s shop steward at the company, Tshepo Zenzile, has accused the employer of arrogance and deliberately ignoring their demands.
During an interview on YouFM Newshour, Zenzile said they are aware of the impact their strike would have on the operations of Sibanye Stillwater.
“All our members from various shafts including Kwezi shaft, Kopanang, Batho-Pele project which is Thembelani as well as Bambelani shafts of Sibanye-Stillwater in Rustenburg are on strike.
We build conveyor structures underground, basically we are the engineering supplier to Sibanye-Stillwater.
Our strike will definitely have a negative impact on the mining company’s operations, remember that conveyor belts carry production from underground to the surface,” explained Zenzile.
He however conceded that their strike was not sanctioned by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
“We didn’t apply for a strike certificate from the CCMA to embark on this strike, and we are concerned about the consequences of this strike.
We have however consulted with our members, carrying their mandate to the employer, we have been through the same path for the last two years.
It seems like they are not willing to compromise or at least meet us halfway in terms of our demands, so that is why we decided to walk out and down tools.
We did advise them, but they have reached a boiling stage, but they have made it very clear that whatever happens, we have been engaging this company for two years and it seems like they are not willing to listen to us,” said the shop steward.
In addition, Zenzile said the company has failed to furnish them with reasons as to why there hasn’t been any salary increases in the past two years.
“We have been working for this company for the longest of time, like in my instance I have been part of this company for the last 14 years providing the same services to Sibanye-Stillwater.
It was still under Aquarius, before it was renamed Murray & Roberts and eventually Sibanye-Stillwater.
So, we were asking a simple question as to why the company is not giving us any increases in the past two years, but we have not been answered,” added Zenzile.
Furthermore, the NUMSA shopsteward said that they have exhausted all processes of engaging the employer but were never satisfied with the responses.
“We did have numerous engagements with the Sibanye-Stilwater management
We did approach the CCMA however the ruling of commissioner Mzwandile did not sit well with the employer,” remarked Zenzile.
He has vowed that they will continue with their indefinite strike until the employer is willing to sit down with them and negotiate.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Sibanye-Stillwater has decided to drag all the striking employees to a disciplinary hearing.
