VICTORY FOR MARIKANA WORKERS! STRIKE ENDS!

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LABOR WINS

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/18/us-safrica-mines-idUSBRE88H0R4...

http://www.iol.co.za/business/companies/parties-relieved-as-lonmin-strik...

The Marikana Miners have achieved an unprecedented victory for workers in South Africa. Lonmin has agreed to a 22% pay raise for the miners. This is a massive development for South African workers. The policies of Apartheid are alive and well for the vast majority of South African workers and this victory just might signal a seismic shift in the labor/capital power structure that exists today in South Africa. During the course of this strike 45 people died during clashes with police and mine security personnel. The strike began on August 10 and spread to other mines in the country.

The mining industry is already blasting this deal as unrealistic, unworkable and unacceptable. The South African mining industry from diamond to gold is used to having the money flow in one direction - from the bottom to the top. South Africa is a country with enormous mineral wealth. In 2011 SA was responsible for the production of 8% of the world's gold, approximately 75% of the world's platinum and more than 25% of the world's chromium. It is time for the wealth of the country to be shared with those who help make it possible. This could be the beginning of real labor reform in South Africa. Progressives all around the globe should be celebrating with the Marikana workers.

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isn't it just wonderful?

sartoris's picture

The influence that SA exerts on all of Africa is difficult to understand from an American point of view. Labor never wins in SA. Never. The recent remarks by SA's Justice Minister had me worried that the State was going to move against the workers. My own personal theory is that the Lonmin was told by both the govt and other business owners to end this thing NOW. The labor unrest is growing in SA and the business community does not want this victory inspiring other strikes.

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Glinda's picture

South African police clash with miners. Tear gas fired at striking workers at Anglo American Platinum, following pay rise deal agreed with Lonmin miners.

South African police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters near a mine run by the world's biggest platinum producer Anglo American Platinum, as unrest spreads after strikers at rival Lonmin won big pay rises.

Within hours of Lonmin agreeing pay rises of up to 22 per cent, workers at nearby mines called for similar pay increases on Wednesday, spelling more trouble after six weeks of industrial action that claimed more than 40 lives and rocked South Africa's economy.

Police clashed with a crowd of men carrying traditional weapons such as spears and machetes in a township at a nearby Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) mine outside the city of Rustenburg.

Officers fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse an "illegal gathering", police spokesman Dennis Adriao said. He had no information on any injuries.

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