Sibanye Stillwater halts operations at its goldmines after strike action

Workers affiliated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) downed tools on Wednesday.

The unions demand an increase of R1 000 for surface and underground miners and 6% for artisans, miners and officials.

In a statement released on Thursday, Sibanye Stillwater's Richard Cox says a notice has been issued to all unions, including Solidarity and UASA.

Cox says the lockout is in the interest of achieving a resolution with the unions.

“The lockout will affect all employees who form part of the bargaining unit which include Category 4 – 8 employees and Miners, Artisans and Officials belonging to the aforementioned unions. The lockout will remain in place until the final wage offer which was tabled on 4 February 2022 is accepted by the unions that represent the majority of employees in the bargaining unit,” says Cox.

Cox says despite the company’s effort to reach an agreement, the unions stand firm on their initial demands.

“Despite the Company’s best efforts to reach a wage agreement that is fair, takes into account inflationary increases and ensures the sustainability of the SA gold operations. Although the Company has made multiple moves within the positional bargaining negotiations, the union coalition hasn’t moved materiality from their initial demands and therefore the parties remain in deadlock.”

Cox emphasised that the principle of no work, no pay will apply to striking employees and locked-out members of the bargaining units of the coalition unions.

"The offer we made is fair and inflation-related and considers the sustainability of the SA gold operations. There are no winners in a strike. There are no winners in a strike. It is regrettable that unions have decided to resort to strike action which will severely impact all stakeholders,” adds Cox.

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