What started in January as to be the longest strike in South African History came finally to an end. After five months of sable rattling and crippling side effects, millions spent on strike consequences and billions of Rand lost in income for the Platinum Mines as well as for the Receiver of revenue, life in the Platinum Belt and theEconomy hopefully return to their normal patterns.
In an unique concert the members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) at Lonmin, Impala Platinum (Implats) and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) embarked on a strike – no, not complaining about work conditions -but demanding a basic monthly salary of ZAR12 500. The strike went viral at stages with lives and income lost.
After five months a wage increase proposal was made by the mining industry, by which the wages of the lowest-paid workers will increase annually by ZAR 1 000 for two years and ZAR 950 in the third year. Yesterday Amcu leader Joseph Mathunjwa announced the end of the strike and that workers will return to their posts on Wednesday June 25, tomorrow.
The bitter consequences of the strike will still affect economy and productivity for a while as mining operations will take a while before they are at the level they used to be. The outcome of the strike also set a signal for other unions, that blackmail does not justify insanity!