JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Wednesday claimed that platinum producer Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) had formed an alliance with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) to retrench 474 people at its Khomanani mine, in Rustenburg.

In 2013, Amplats started the consolidation of its Rustenburg mines. As part of this restructuring, extensive consultations with unions, facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, were held.

Where retrenchments were necessary, Amplats committed to further exploring employment opportunities for affected employees. To date, 774 employees from the initial 1 248 had been placed in permanent jobs.

“We have been working closely with AMCU representatives at the mine to ensure that all alternative measures are explored to avoid the possible terminations, but unfortunately not all employees could be offered permanent jobs,” Amplats spokesperson Mpumi Sithole told Mining Weekly Online in an email.

However, the NUM alleged that the retrenched workers had to leave with immediate effect.

“It is very unusual and under normal circumstances where the company anticipates retrenchments, it has to follow the due course of the law where they have to issue [notices under] Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act. They must also follow Section 52 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act in an event they anticipate retrenchments exceeding 10% of the total workforce,” it stated.

"No legal processes have been followed by the company. Workers are very angry and embarrassed. Workers are flocking to the offices of the NUM expressing disappointment caused by AMCU and the company saying they have been misled by this union for so long,” NUM deputy general secretary Tshimane Montoedi said.

The NUM was exploring options, including possible legal action, to assist its members and nonmembers, who would be affected by the retrenchments.“Amplats is aware that this is a difficult time for affected employees. Over the last few weeks, we have been communicating with the unions and the affected employees, as well as the communities – through the Rustenburg Community Engagement Forum – on the retrenchment process and we commit ourselves to continue to engage with all the relevant parties,” Sithole noted.