LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Gold Wage Negotiations
The unprecedented wage agreement AngloGold Ashanti has laid the foundation for us to build a future of a living wage that reflects dignity for the South African worker. This is a notion that the structure of the South African labour market has prohibited for a long time however, for AMCU it is a social necessity and a fundamental human need which must be attained for all workers within South Africa’s economy.
This resolve became the cornerstone of our history-making agreement with AngloAshanti Gold that comprised of a R1000 wage increment for each year of the three-year agreement and a 6,5% increase for miners, artisans and officials, and the same or Consumer Price Index (CPI) – whichever is higher – for each of the subsequent two years.
Economic Challenges
I have always maintained that the continued onslaught on jobs will culminate in a nation in revolt as unemployment threatens the livelihoods of our people. AMCU continues to refute the narrative of mine bosses constantly placing the interests of investors and shareholders above the needs of workers.
We must stand firm against the unscrupulous and selfish ambitions of employers if our people are going to survive in the labour market. This selfish train of thought is incarnated in what economists have dubbed the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This will be the intense and forceful mechanisation of labour-driven industries – replacing workers with robots, all in the name of chasing super profits.
Health and Safety
We recently held a two-day health and safety workshop in the Free State where AMCU National Head of Health Safety Comrade Gabriel Nkosi met with branch leaders in ensuring that our members are empowered and know their rights in accordance to sections 22 and 23 of the Mine Health and Safety Act.
Bettering the lives of AMCU members
KZN Durban Metro Regional Elective Congress
Our members from the various branches in the KZN region assembled for the KZN Durban Regional Congress to elect new regional leaders in accordance to AMCU’s constitution.
The Durban region had been overseen by one office bearer and this Regional Leadership structure did not meet the quorum necessary to fully advance the mandate of our members in the province. It was a privilege for me to be part of the proceedings and seeing the passion of our members in electing their new regional leadership.
