BUSINESS MAVERICK OP-ED: Deregistration threat to Amcu calls for active union solidarity

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union undoubtedly needs to act in accordance with its own constitution and ensure that democracy functions at all levels. Amcu does have a constitution that is better than most of its counterparts and there are generally acceptable levels of compliance. Are there problems — more specifically, could the union be more worker-controlled? Is there a union in the country that has similar problems? The answer is certainly yes, on both counts.

Trade unions are best judged by their level of engagement and activity in the workplace. In terms of the mines, particularly the platinum sector, a robust relationship exists between the shop stewards and shaft management. Amcu, in short, functions well in comparison to other mining unions at the workplace and this is where it matters most for your rank and file member.

The Amcu leader remains well respected because he made good on his promise to fight for a living wage in the platinum sector and fought the longest strike in South African labour history, winning a partial victory for mineworkers in the process. Losing the recent five-month strike at Sibanye’s gold mines is not enough for him to have lost the Amcu membership’s trust in his leadership. If that what the department is betting on, it had best reconsider.

Once again the heavy-handed and punitive role of the state is being brought to the fore to penalise those standing up to South African capitalism, a system that remains rapacious to its core.

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