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Members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have voted in favour of a strike at Sibanye-Stillwater's gold operations.
A balloting process which was over seen by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) concluded that 79% of NUM members voted in favour of industrial action at the Kloof, Driefontein and Cook operations in Gauteng. However, only 31% of UASA members voted in favour of it. At the Beatrix operation in the Free State, only 18% of NUM's members voted for a strike.
Overall, the CCMA concluded the vote was 62% in favour of industrial action at Sibanye's gold mines.
AMCU's members also voted in favour of a strike, although its members were not balloted as the union's constitution provides for it to ballot members through a show of hands.
Solidarity said the union had no mandate to proceed with balloting as the vast majority of its members had already indicated it must accept the offer extended by Sibanye-Stillwater.
The CCMA issued a certificate of non-resolution in respect of the dispute conciliation process between the company and the unions in mid-January already.
Negotiations however continued outside of the CCMA, but the parties have still failed to come to an agreement.
Against a wage demand of R1 000 per year for three years, Sibanye’s final offer to Category 4 to 8 employees is an increase of R700 in each year.
Miners, artisans and officials were offered an increase of 5% in each of the three years against a demand of 6%.
With a strike certificate in hand and picketing rules established, unions need only give 48 hours’ notice before embarking on a strike.
As far as UASA and NUM's balloting was concerned, Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted said 8 224 employees voted in that process, compared to 31 000 people employed at the group's gold mines.
Speaking at the group's results presentation on Thursday, CEO Neal Froneman said Sibanye also believes Amcu's balloting to have only covered a sample of between 15% and 20% of its membership at the gold mines and as such was not fair nor representative.
"Irrespective of the balloting process, we will not be changing our offer. Our offer is final," he said. "And really the union or this coalition needs to decide whether they're going to strike or not, we are not raising our offer."
Unions have been meeting on Thursday to determine the way forward.
