Bosses mum on end of Lonmin strike

(File image) The Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa.

(File image) The Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa.

Published Sep 18, 2012

Share

Rustenburg - Lonmin management could not confirm that the strike at the Marikana mine in North West had ended on Tuesday night.

"Lonmin can't comment yet because it is not yet official. They are about to start the meeting to finalise it all and sign agreements," said Lonmin's Sue Vey.

Striking miners have accepted a 22-percent pay rise and would return to work on Thursday, worker leader Zolisa Bodlani said earlier.

Reporting back to workers at the platinum mine in Marikana on Tuesday, Bodlani said the increase would be applied across the board.

Rock drill operators would now get R11 078 a month before deductions, production team leaders R13 022, and operators R9 883.

Workers would further receive a once-off bonus of R2000.

President of the SA Council of Churches, Bishop Jo S eoka, who was also part of the workers' negotiations, said the offer was closer to the R12,500 the workers had been demanding since they went on strike on August 10.

"We are happy with the latest offer; it is better than what the workers got before they went on strike."

The negotiators were expected to meet mine management later on Tuesday to sign the agreement. They would address workers at 10am on Wednesday to report back on the signing of the agreement.

Workers were happy with the latest offer. They whistled and jumped with joy, telling the negotiators to sign the deal.

Some carried Bodlani on their shoulders, saying he had never let  them down and he was their hero.

The pay hike brings to an end the violent strike that has claimed the lives of 45 lives since August 10.

On August 16, 34 workers were killed when police opened fire on them, and 78 were wounded. A total of 270 workers were arrested.

The preceding week saw 10 people killed in violent protests.

Another man, reported to be a National Union of Mineworkers shop  steward, was found dead last week.. - Sapa

Related Topics:

marikana