Mining unions have threatened a full-scale strike at Sibanye-Stillwater due to a dispute over share ownership payments for mine workers. The company recently issued dismissal notices to dozens of workers who had staged an underground protest over the shares.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) leader, Joseph Mathunjwa, stated that the share issue was part of a wage negotiations agreement from the previous year. The union plans to approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to declare a dispute over the matter.
Mathunjwa urged dismissed workers to remain calm and advised those not dismissed to continue reporting for duty while the union processes appeals for the dismissed workers. He assured the workers that the union would legally support any strike action.
Mathunjwa criticized Sibanye-Stillwater executives, describing them as “capitalist and anti-worker,” and pledged to defend the dismissed workers to ensure they are reinstated. He warned that unresolved issues could affect other mines in the platinum sector.
Sibanye-Stillwater stated it had made efforts to negotiate with the protesting workers and indicated that the dismissed workers could appeal their termination. 
