Anglo American Platinum fired 12,000 striking miners

[cratehorus]

Hundreds of the 12,000 miners fired by the world's largest platinum producer in South Africa have gathered to protest their dismissal and mourn a colleague killed in clashes with police.

"If they are not willing to talk to us many things will be burnt starting from today"

- Hendrick Mpondo, 27, miner


The workers meeting on Saturday at a stadium in the northern town of Rustenburg, 120km northwest of Johannesburg, would also debate how to respond to the mass dismissal by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).

"Ignore those SMS's you've received saying you have been dismissed," one labour leader was quoted as saying by radio broadcaster Eyewitness News.

Groups of workers from various shafts made their way into the stadium under police escort, singing and chanting slogans, while a helicopter circled the area.

Late on Thursday, one miner was killed when police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a group of 300 illegal strikers protesting on a hilltop close to the mines.

The independent police watchdog is investigating the man's death "as the incident appeared to have arisen from police action," according to police spokesperson Emelda Setlhako.

With around 100,000 workers currently on strike across the country, South African President Jacob Zuma - who has publicly kept his distance from the crisis - has called for the work stoppages to end.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/201...24879.html

[Autumnlicious]

Yes, yes. Work you ignorant peasants and to hell with your right to protest!

You're interrupting the big boy's salaries! After all, they deserve it uninterrupted for their back breaking labor and zero tolerance to mistakes while running the company!

Oh wait...

No zero tolerance for any business mistake and no hard labor? Well, I guess the protesters are interrupting their right to rest easy. We can't have that, now can we?

[Annik]

This is why we have unions (although they have their flaws).

[Autumnlicious]

A unions chief flaw is their sticking power, which invites corruption and abuse.

[Annik]

A unions chief flaw is their sticking power, which invites corruption and abuse.

I'm aware of that issue, but I don't feel I'm educated enough on the topic to discuss it at any length. I'll have to work some Google-Fu when my homework is done with.

[Autumnlicious]

Many Unions also take a form of hierarchical structure that they're protesting against.

Any hierarchical structure, according to Valve Software (I've got their employee handbook), is prone to members indulging in "rent seeking behaviors" that only ensure their position as well as hiring lesser skilled lackies who will not challenge them.

While I don't see every hierarchical structure mutating into abuse as an absolute, I do note stagnation can and will take place when you stop focusing on providing value and focus on your own returns.

Again, any organization is prone to corruption and inefficiency. Unions included.

[Minimalist]

Whatever flaws the unions may have do not come close to the flaws of these corporate scumbags.

[Tiberius]

My opinion on this is mixed. I don't think workers should have a right to "strike"; it goes against the entire point of signing a contract. I think there should be ways of getting companies to agree to improving conditions without having to resort to such measures. However, this company's action in firing all 12,000 of them is ridiculous, given that they will most likely lose a lot of money trying to find other people to replace them.

[Autumnlicious]

Usually though, when a Union is required, it is because the business entity has breached the good faith part of which all contracts are signed on...

Happy productive workers don't usually demand a union -- angry ones without recourse to better treatment do.

[popeyespappy]

I don't think workers should have a right to "strike"; it goes against the entire point of signing a contract.

Unions don't strike when they have a contract. They strike between contracts when the company won't agree to the contract terms the union is requesting.

I think there should be ways of getting companies to agree to improving conditions without having to resort to such measures.

Such as?

However, this company's action in firing all 12,000 of them is ridiculous, given that they will most likely lose a lot of money trying to find other people to replace them.

So agreeing to terms that would cause an even larger long term lose is a good idea for a business?