Which trade union did the striking mine workers approach?
In August 1946 the African Mine Workers Union (AMWU) in South Africa called a strike of black miners in the country’s Witwatersrand gold producing region. The strike was the first widespread action taken by African workers since 1920. Nearly 100,000 black workers struck, completely or partially shutting down 13 mines.
Which trade union managed to successfully negotiate for its members in the Lonmin Platinum mine industrial action?
Association of Mines and Construction Union
These mine workers belong to a newly formed trade union, Association of Mines and Construction Union (AMCU) under the leadership of Joseph Mathunjwa. The workers, represented by AMCU, demanded a salary increase from R5 000 to R12 000 per month from their employers.
What happened at the Marikana massacre?
Monday marks nine years since 34 miners were killed and 78 seriously injured when the police opened fire on protesting miners at Marikana, North West. Between 12 August and 14 August ten people died, including six mine workers, two Lonmin security guards and two SAPS members.
What caused the Marikana massacre?
On 16 August 2012, the South African Police Service (SAPS) opened fire on a crowd of striking mineworkers at Marikana, in the North West Province. This event culminated after an intense week-long protest in which the miners were demanding a wage increase at the Lonmin platinum mine in a wildcat strike.
What caused the Marikana miners to strike?
The overarching outcome was that neither government nor Lonmin lived up to their statutory or public commitments. They failed to provide public goods to communities around the mine. This contributed to the squalor of Marikana and other settlements in the area, which in turn fed the grievances of striking mineworkers.
What do trade unions do?
The typical activities of trade unions include providing assistance and services to their members, collectively bargaining for better pay and conditions for all workers, working to improve the quality of public services, political campaigning and industrial action.
Why are trade unions important in South Africa?
Historically in South Africa, trade unions’ function was primarily political as organised labour was instrumental in advocating for democracy. Trade unions should promote social change and justice, harmonious industrial relations and encourage human resource development.
What caused the Marikana strike?
The Marikana massacre occurred during a wildcat strike at a mine owned by Lonmin in the Marikana area, close to Rustenburg, in 2012. The event garnered international attention following a series of violent incidents between the police, Lonmin security, and members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on one side, and strikers on the other.
What was the Durban strike about?
The Durban strikes constituted a defining moment in South African history. It shattered the industrial peace that had existed since the banning of the ANC, PAC and Communist Party of South Africa and the crushing of the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU).
Is the Labour Relations Act trade union-friendly?
Consequently the Labour Relations Act (LRA) passed by the ANC government in 1995 is extremely trade union-friendly. Although it does not impose a duty to bargain on employers, it grants numerous organisational rights to trade unions at workplaces.