SA braces for another year of strikes

MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014 10:14

AFP writes that the last two years have been dark times for South African labour relations.  Pay strikes have rolled from sector to important sector -- mining, manufacturing, transport -- leaving a wake of red ink, protests and blood.  Unfortunately, the new year looks much like the last.  This week the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) will move to strike at the world's top three platinum producers.  Its members are demanding a "living wage", which would imply a doubling of salaries.  The union is also ready to move to other sectors.  "We look forward to the wage disputes within the platinum, gold and coal sectors," said Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa.  Robert Besseling, of IHS Country Risk, believes that platinum strikes will lead to rapid "contagion to other sectors, such as gold and coal."  "Strikes beget strikes," said labour analyst Andrew Levy.  "If striking delivers results, it is expected to spread.  That's the situation we find in the past three years."  Rivalry among unions for members has prompted more leaders to adopt a tougher stance in talks with firms.

• Read this article at eNCA