Labour Court reserves judgment

Interim interdict prohibiting AMCU members from going on strike remains in place

The Chamber of Mines (CoM) confirms that the Labour Court considered the application by the CoM, representing AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony and Sibanye, and the counter-application by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) on 5 and 6 June 2014.

In its application, the CoM asked the Labour Court to make permanent the interim order granted on 30 January 2014 and in terms of which AMCU and its members were prohibited from embarking on protected strike action at certain operations owned by the three gold companies. The CoM argued that AMCU should be prohibited from striking as it was bound by a wage agreement concluded on 10 September 2013 by the CoM and the unions representing the majority of employees and made applicable to all employees within the bargaining unit in terms of certain sections the Labour Relations Act.

The Labour Court has reserved judgment.

Speaking on behalf of the affected gold producers, Chamber of Mines chief negotiator Dr Elize Strydom said: "We will now await the judgment of the court. The interim order prohibiting AMCU and its members from embarking on protected strike action remains in place. We call on them to continue to respect the order."

Statement issued by Dr Elize Strydom, Chamber of Mines, June 6 2014

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