Amcu has been demanding a basic salary of R12,500 for the lowest-paid mineworkers in the platinum sector and larger living out allowances since 2012.

In a statement, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said this agreement was a victory for workers but did not disclose the agreed percentage.

“Building on the historic wage agreement concluded in 2013, we secured this agreement with the knowledge that Anglo Platinum was on the brink of selling its assets, particularly in Rustenburg Sibanye, a company that is known for its reluctantly in improving the lives of its workers,” Mathunjwa said.

“The agreement reached will now be binding to Sibanye for the next three years which will make it impossible for Sibanye to attack our members on wages and other conditions of employment.”

Sibanye, already regarded as the leading producer of South African gold, last year launched back-to-back bids to buy Amplats’ Rustenburg mines for at least R4.5 billion and the whole of its neighbour, Aquarius Platinum, consisting of Kroondaal, Mimosa, Marikana Platinum Mine and Platinum Mine retreatment facility.

Sibanye would be taking over ownership, control and management of the Rustenburg Platinum Mines from November 1, following its unconditional fulfilment of all regulatory requirements to purchase the Rustenburg operations.

The unions have expressed fears after this acquisition, accusing Sibanye management of making profits by focusing on retrenchments.

Mathunjwa said Amcu leadership was fully aware that it should intensify the organisation and mobilisation in defence
of basic condition of employment for its members and that they would turn their attention to defending every job.

He said the steadfastness of the union’s leadership and the power held by members had ensured that Amplats agreed to the above inflation increase because of the history and struggle Amcu had waged in betterment of workers.

“This agreement secured is a spear and shield in the coming struggle that will be facing with the new owners Sibanye,” Mathunjwa said.

“As Amcu we believe we were only able to secure this agreement based on our track record of being a revolutionary, independent and a worker controlled union.”

Mathunjwa would inform members of the union about the details of the wage agreement during a mass meeting at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.

ANA