Competitive relations between rivals tempered by common concerns
In the wake of the Marikana incident in 2012 labour relations in the mining sector have been characterised by rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers and the Association of Mineworkers & Construction Union . Solidarity and Uasa, the other two recognised unions primarily focusing on skilled miners, have also been luring members between each other, which has added to the competitive trade union environment.
Since the onset of Covid-19 this has contributed to the four mining unions being able to formulate a joint position on burning pandemic-related issues in discussions with the Minerals Council SA, which further reinforces a culture of unity. The Harmony Gold salary negotiations were preceded by a safety summit at which the unions and management reached agreement on key safety issues. During the subsequent Harmony salary negotiations the spirit of co-operation and the trade unions’ collective approach paid off, with parties being accommodating towards each other and a win-win agreement concluded quickly.
Sibanye-Stillwater, which previously followed a divide-and-rule approach towards trade unions, could not negotiate constructively with the alliance as its counterpart did in recent wage negotiations, and this has given rise to a dispute process. The trade union alliance’s joint media conference during which the dispute with Sibanye was declared is also a historic first.
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