Amcu to strike at Sibanye's PGM operations

Sibanye-Stillwater Kloof operations

In terms of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), Act 66 of 1995, secondary strikes are permissible in support of a protected strike, but within constrained parameters and such strikes are not automatically lawful or reasonable and as such legal advice will be sought. The secondary strike called by AMCU is in support of the ongoing strike at the gold operations, which commenced on 21 November 2018.

“Although not surprising, the notice for a secondary strike at our South African PGM operations in Rustenburg is disappointing, as all stakeholders will be negatively affected, but more so those employees who will be exposed to the no work, no pay principle. Our South African PGM operations have been preparing for this outcome and as such have strike contingency plans in place to minimise the possible impact of a strike and our US PGM operations with their high exposure to a rampant palladium price continue to provide welcome diversification and support through the strike. We reiterate that the wage agreement we reached with the unions representing the majority of our employees employed at our gold operations is fair and final and will not be amended by AMCU’s demands or threats," says Neal Froneman Sibanye-Stillwater CEO.

Sibanye-Stillwater currently employs approximately 17,400 people at its SA PGM operations, with AMCU representing approximately 56% of the employees at the Kroondal operations and 71% of the Rustenburg operations’ employees.