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Mail & Guardian
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(Ashraf Hendricks/Ground Up)

Luxor Paints loses CCMA case, must pay workers R40m in back pay

Some of the 181 workers were dismissed for carrying sticks during a strike, others were dismissed even though they weren’t at the picket, but were deemed guilty by association

The Goldstone Commission recommended that “the carrying of any dangerous weapon in public should be outlawed — whether in respect of political meetings or any other place”.

Sticking it to the boss is not so simple, according to an expert

Experts disagree on the meaning behind carrying sticks during strike action, a debate that will be aired at the CCMA on Wednesday

Ongoing struggle: Mineworkers commemorate the 2012 Marikana massacre, two years later. At the Farlam commission, witnesses had differing views on what stick-carrying signified. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Carrying ‘weapons’ while striking is still a sticking point

An upcoming CCMA case will consider whether workers carrying sticks at a strike is an act of intimidation or a call for unity

The peaceful protest on Monday was described as an “illegal or wildcat strike” by City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport and urban development, councillor Brett Herron. (David Harrison/M&G)

MyCiti bus strike continues

MyCiti employees at the Cape Town Civic centre promised to continue their strike if their demands for better pay and working conditions were not met

Eskom has put forward two three-year wage options to the unions, the first being a 7% wage increases for three years, with a housing allowance, or 7.5% in 2018 and 7% in 2019 and 2020, with no housing allowance.

Unions hold the cards as Eskom faces fresh strike threat

Numsa and NUM are yet to sign the latest wage offer of a 7.5% increase for 2018 and a 7% increase for the next two years

The UNTU embarked on a strike on Monday morning

Gautrain’s first ever strike

The UNTU embarked on a strike on Monday morning, demanding a 10% wage increase from the Bombela Operating Company which runs the Gautrain

Luxor Paints said they had to engage additional security “to ensure the safety of its employees and hired labour”.

Luxor workers: ‘After seeing one of our comrades lost his eye, we cried like babies’

Worker representatives claim one worker lost an eye and 19 others were hospitalised after run-ins with private security while on a peaceful strike

Senior Pikitup supervisor backs rubbish collector strike

Ester Mteshane says the fact workers are willing to lose pay and risk dismissal in an unprotected strike underlines the seriousness of their issues.

This week we’ll speak to our politics team on the future of the Cosatu and more.

Mass protected strike set for Wednesday

On Wednesday, any worker who wants to go on strike, can do so. Every town across SA is being urged to join the first of two protected mass strikes.

Neasa refused to sign the offer

Neasa lockout to continue ‘despite threats’

Neasa has said it will continue its constitutionally protected lockout of workers following the end of the wider strike in the metals sector.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa

Numsa continues strike over wage offer conditions

The union has accepted a wage offer from employers but will continue striking over conditions relating to future pay negotiations.

Future strikes obstruct Numsa deal

On money the union and the employers virtually agree. But on matters that could define future strikes the differences appear nearly unbridgeable.

South Africa’s credit rating at risk – Moody’s

Moody’s rating agency has warned that the country’s credit rating is at risk as the 220 000-strong Numsa strike enters its fifth day.

Palladium price climbs to fresh three-year highs

Palladium, a metal that can be used instead of platinum by some manufacturers, has risen to $847 an ounce – its highest price in three years.

Implats rejects tax evasion allegations

Impala Platinum has rejected claims that the platinum mining companies have been involved in tax evasion activities.

Four people have been killed since talk of workers breaking the strike began.

Amcu takes Lonmin, Amplats to court over SMS campaign

Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa is taking the mining giants to labour court, saying their SMS campaign violated an agreement with the union.

Violence is a way of challenging an order of inequality and exploitation

Violent strikes and how to change them

From workers using force to challenge exploitation, to the role of unions in protests, experts have analysed strike violence at a Marikana seminar.

Small businesses in Rustenburg feel the burn

Businesses in the platinum belt are floundering as the mass Amcu strike enters its tenth week.

Amcu strike could see Amplats reverse gains as top platinum stock

Anglo American Platinum could see its rally in stocks reversing once the effects of the Amcu strike are calculated, says Imara SP Reid.

Kumba expects iron-ore prices to remain at current levels in the third quarter.

Amcu gains a foothold at Kumba Iron Ore

Amcu, the dominant union in the platinum sector, looks likely to win recognition at Kumba Iron Ore, which announced an increased profit on Tuesday.