Displaying items by tag: National Union of Mineworkers

South Africa: Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members at PPC’s Slurry cement plant in North West province have gone on strike over wages. The NUM gave the cement producer a notice to strike in mid-October 2017 and then workers started taking action on 17 October 2017. The union wants a pay rise on 12% and other benefits, but PPC has only offered 6%.

South Africa: Lafarge South Africa has dismissed around 200 employees from some of the company's sites, including its cement plant in Lichtenburg, following several ‘illegal’ work stoppages in the past few weeks. The workers were issued with letters of dismissal on 8 July 2016 after they ignored two written ultimatums to return to work, according to Lafarge. The workers had ‘illegally’ downed tools, to demand the reinstatement of the National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) National Full Time Shop Steward, who has been suspended for contravening company policy.

"Management regrets having had to issue the notices of dismissal, but we were left with no other choice. We had exhausted all avenues, including giving the employees ample opportunity to return to work, as well as engaging the NUM head office. The workers repeatedly engaged in illegal work stoppages despite continued efforts to reach amicable solutions on outstanding issues," said Veli Gwamanda, Country Director for Human Resources. The official added that the company had also acted to protect non-striking workers from threats, harassment and in some cases physical assaults.

Disciplinary hearings started on 14 July 2016 and are expected to be concluded shortly. The company has implemented contingency plans and operations have not been affected.

South Africa: Striking Lafarge South Africa employees affiliated to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have returned to work after a 12-day strike, according to Lafarge South Africa. The industrial action involved disputes on several issues, including a salary increase.

"We are pleased that we have been able to negotiate solutions that benefit our employees. While our operations were not grossly impacted, we are happy to announce that we are running at full capacity," said Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, Country Manager for Communications and Public Affairs at Lafarge South Africa.

Lafarge reported that an agreement had been reached on an 8% salary increase effective from 1 January 2016, a commitment to tighten salary gaps per job category by the end of April 2016 and a one-off fixed housing grant of US$4640 per employee to acquire or build a house. The grant would, after two years of implementation, be increased by a sum equal to the annual average inflationary rate for workers.

Around 800 NUM affiliated employees demanding initially a 13% raise and a US$3310 housing grant, according to Reuters. The union has confirmed that the deal has been accepted.

South Africa: LafargeHolcim has reported that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has accepted an 8% pay increase, according to Reuters. Around 800 workers affiliated to the union started a strike on 11 February 2016 asking for an 8.5% wage increase, a US$6500 housing grant, salary adjustments and a 35% acting allowance, Lafarge said in a statement. It added that the company was ‘well placed’ to meet its customer’s orders. The industrial action followed a series of negotiations which started in October 2015.