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.

Business Business Latest News, Business Business Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Families, business owners count cost of Amcu strikeWith Amcu members returning to work for their first salaries in almost five months, family members and businesses that have felt the pinch say that it is going to take a while to recover from the effects of the strike.
Source: ewnupdates - 🏆 30. / 53 Read more »

Amcu failed to hold congress since 2013: labour registrar | Business | M&GAmcu last held an elective congress in 2013 and has “come up with excuses” for why it has not done so. This is why the labour registrar issued a notice of his intention to deregister the union. Basically existed for the 2012, a just fight for socio-economic upliftment of miners' and Mathunjwa, beyond that, nothing
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

Amcu to meet labour registrar over cancellation threat | Business | M&GAmcu president Joseph Mathunjwa on Friday insisted that his union's affairs are in order and that the possible deregistration of the union is 'politically motivated'.
Source: mailandguardian - 🏆 2. / 92 Read more »

BUSINESS MAVERICK ANALYSIS: While probably at fault, Amcu is hardly alone in seeing a political agenda in moves to disband itThe Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union sees a political agenda in the labour department’s bid to deregister it. This may not be possible to prove, but it is an easy conclusion to reach. The union’s arch rival is the National Union of Mineworkers, a key ally of the ruling ANC that was founded by the current occupant of the Union Buildings. It is also true that the union has compliance issues — that one veteran trade unionist says can be resolved.
Source: dailymaverick - 🏆 3. / 84 Read more »