Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union
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| Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Location country | South Africa |
| Members | ~300,000 (peak) |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg |
| Key people | Cyril Ramaphosa, Cedric Phatudi, Jacob Zuma |
| Affiliation | Congress of South African Trade Unions, International Trade Union Confederation |
Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union was a South African trade union representing workers in the mining and construction sectors, formed amid the political transitions surrounding Nelson Mandela, F. W. de Klerk, African National Congress and the end of apartheid; it engaged with institutions such as the Chamber of Mines, National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa), South African Communist Party and regional bodies like the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The union operated in contexts involving figures and entities like Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, National Party (South Africa), and labour campaigns related to Marikana and the broader South African labour movement, interacting with organizations such as Amcu, United Democratic Front, Trade Union Congress of South Africa and multinational employers like Anglo American plc.
History
The union emerged in the late 20th century alongside movements linked to African National Congress, United Democratic Front, National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa), South African Communist Party and responses to policies of F. W. de Klerk and the Apartheid state; its formation intersected with events like the release of Nelson Mandela, the negotiations at Groote Schuur and the constitutional processes that produced the Constitution of South Africa. Early years saw engagement with employers including Anglo American plc, Impala Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater, and state entities such as Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and provincial governments in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Organization and Membership
The union structured itself across regions like Gauteng, North West (South African province), Mpumalanga, Limpopo and port cities such as Durban and Port Elizabeth, organizing workers at sites owned by AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Impala Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater and construction firms working on projects linked to Transnet, Eskom and municipal authorities; its membership rolls competed with unions such as National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa), Amcu, Solidarity (South African trade union) and UASA. Governance bodies were influenced by labor law frameworks like the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and institutions such as the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and Labour Court (South Africa).
Political Activities and Affiliations
Politically the union engaged with the African National Congress, South African Communist Party, Congress of South African Trade Unions, Pan Africanist Congress and sometimes dissident groupings connected to leaders like Cyril Ramaphosa and Jacob Zuma; it lobbied legislatures such as the National Assembly of South Africa and provincial legislatures, and took positions on national debates over policy initiatives by Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, F. W. de Klerk and ministers in the Cabinet of South Africa concerning mining charters, Black Economic Empowerment and labour reform. The union interacted with employer federations including the Chamber of Mines and international bodies like the International Trade Union Confederation, and allied occasionally with civil society actors such as SACP and community organisations formed after incidents like Marikana massacre and township protests in Soweto.
Industrial Actions and Strikes
The union participated in industrial actions alongside or in rivalry with unions such as National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa), Amcu, Solidarity (South African trade union) and United Association of South Africa (UASA), organizing strikes at mines owned by Anglo Gold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Impala Platinum and operations linked to Sibanye-Stillwater; these actions intersected with national strike waves during periods of political instability involving Jacob Zuma administrations and contested labour disputes arbitrated at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration or litigated at the Labour Court (South Africa).
Major Campaigns and Achievements
Campaigns included collective bargaining at employers like Anglo American plc, AngloGold Ashanti, Impala Platinum and efforts to influence policy on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, the Mining Charter (South Africa), wages at mines affected by events such as Marikana massacre, health and safety standards referencing incidents like the Sibanye-Stillwater's safety disputes, and broader social programs linked to initiatives by the African National Congress and South African Communist Party; the union secured agreements on wage increases, housing provisions, and contributed to national debates that involved institutions like National Economic Development and Labour Council.
Leadership and Governance
Leadership involved prominent labour figures and public personalities who engaged with entities such as the Congress of South African Trade Unions, South African Communist Party, African National Congress and provincial political structures; leaders negotiated with corporate executives from Anglo American plc, Impala Platinum, Sibanye-Stillwater and government ministers in the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, while governance adhered to statutes under the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and dispute resolution through the Labour Court (South Africa) and Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Controversies and Legal Issues
The union was involved in controversies and legal cases alongside rival unions Amcu, National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa), employers like Anglo Gold Ashanti and Sibanye-Stillwater, and state institutions including the South African Police Service and Labour Court (South Africa) over strike conduct, recognition disputes, corruption allegations, and responses to incidents such as Marikana massacre; litigation referenced statutes and institutions such as the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and processes at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, while media coverage involved outlets and public figures including Mail & Guardian, The Star (South Africa), City Press and commentators linked to the African National Congress and opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (South Africa).