AMCU and NUM tangle in numbers’ game
The fight over union membership and dominance continues on the Platinum belt; this as the Association for Metalworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) claims it has the majority of members there.
But the National Union of Mineworkers, who has been the majority union at the mine, disputes Amcu’s claims.
Optimistic that it will sign a recognition agreement with Aquarius Platinum Mine, Amcu members met on Sunday in Rustenburg. The union has been on a continued recruitment drive, saying its take-over is imminent. It held its mass meeting in Rustenburg, the heart of the platinum belt and also its stronghold.
Amcu regional organiser, Thomas Mtshe, reiterates that Rustenburg remains their stronghold, adding that they we have a membership of close to 100 000 in the region only.
Mtshe continues: “We can say in a month we recruit about 2 000 people, which is our target. We are the best union in terms of policies.”
Amcu has already signed employee recognition agreements with platinum giants Amplats and Lonmin. Some of the new recruits say they have hope of a better life under Amcu.
Amcu and NUM remain at loggerheads over the issue of membership at the mines. Amcu is also gaining ground in the gold-mining industry.