Catherwood LibraryILR School

In what may be the end of South Africa?s longest and costliest strike in Mining, miners and shop stewards belonging to the AMCU held demonstrations urging the union?s president, Joseph Mathunjwa, to sign the latest wage deal with the three largest platinum mining companies. Thousands joined the crowds holding signs stating, ?Sign, Mathunjwa, sign? and shouting, ?This union has worked. We want this money. We come from hardships. AMCU has worked. We can?t take kids to school. Sign, Mathunjwa.? Although the strike has not officially been called off, when Mr. Mathunjwa asked the crowd if the strike should be over, there was an eruption of applause. Details about the wage offer are scant, but the three platinum mining companies released a joint statement assuring their investors and the miners that the underpinnings of the proposal would maintain the companies? profitability, increase worker pay and benefits, and please shareholders. According to the companies, the strike has already cost them $2.05 billion in revenue and deprived the world of 40% of the current year?s expected platinum output.