Leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction (Amcu) Joseph Mathunjwa, which is leading the illegal strike at Lonmin, says the union has not been able to meet management to discuss the strike.
"We have not had a single meeting with Lonmin. Yesterday I was called by Lonmin director Mahomed Seedat to say that the company was holding meetings with workers but not with unions," he said.
Mr Mathunjwa said the union was being shut out by Lonmin and was therefore unable to play a role in solving the dispute. However, he also said it was only "the employer that could resolve the strike, by meeting workers’ demands".
Lonmin said 22% of workers reported for duty on Wednesday morning. It has agreed to suspend operations on Thursday for a memorial service to mark the killing of 34 protesters by police last Thursday. It said there was 85% attendance at its processing plants.
Shares in Lonmin were more than 4.49% lower in midday trade. At 12.37pm, the shares were down 4.42% at R79.11.
Illegal strike action on the platinum belt spread to Royal Bafokeng Platinum’s BRPM mine on Tuesday night. Workers at Thembelani mine owned by Anglo American Platinum have also handed over demands with an ultimatum that the company respond by Friday.
Mr Mathunjwa said Amcu "had nothing to do with (these developments)". However, he also said Amcu was recruiting "everywhere, as a recognised union".
An attempt by traditional leader Patekile Holomisa to bring Amcu into a broad forum on Tuesday that included the interministerial team and Lonmin, failed when Amcu was not given the correct venue for the meeting.
Mr Mathunjwa said he would meet Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant and representatives from the chamber of mines on Wednesday.
With Allan Seccombe
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