Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East and Africa 7 March 2014 @ wsws.org/en/articles/2014/03/07/wkrs-m07.html South African platinum miners strike continues The strike by South African platinum miners continues into its seventh week. The Association of Mining and Construction Union (AMCU) is said to have put forward a revised deal to the three platinum mining companies. The new deal differs from a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) deal, rejected over two weeks ago by the mining companies in that the union is offering to break the link between pay and some benefits. The platinum companies have rejected a new union proposal of a R12,500 ($1,170) basic wage achieved over a period of three years The AMCU union is under threat of legal action by the companies who accuse it of breaking picket line agreements. The union denies this. AMCU accuses the platinum companies of infiltrating picket lines and character assassination. see also: In pictures: AMCU takes to the Union Buildings @ dailymaverick.co.za/article/2014-03-07-in-pictures-amcu-takes-to-the-union-buildings/#.UxlebF62nmE A new union has been set up by ex-National Union of Mineworkers members, the Workers’ Association Union (WAU), with the sole purpose of getting the miners back to work. The WAU was launched Saturday. Gabon customs workers escalate strike Customs workers in Gabon, on strike since February, stepped up their action Tuesday to force the government to negotiate. They are represented by the Custom Workers Union of Gabon (MISDG). They have disrupted the flow of goods in and out of the country, but had previously exempted fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, military equipment and goods going to the presidency. Under the escalation they may disrupt the flow of previously exempted goods. Nigerian health workers strike Health workers in the Nigerian state of Kaduna came out on strike again March 1, demanding the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure. The indefinite strike is an attempt to force the state government to pay the 30 percent shortfall still outstanding. Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) Chairperson Cecilia Musa said that nurses worked under stressful conditions, attending to 30 patients daily, whereas the World Health Organization standard was one nurse per six patients. Hospitals across the state were empty, with no nurses to attend and patients were asked to leave the hospitals. Strike by Nigerian state public-sector staff Nigerian public sector workers in Edo State resumed their strike on March 3, after their demands were ignored. The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress resumed their action to press for the release of four years of unpaid promotion arrears among other outstanding issues. The public sector workers struck in December for four days, but attempts to get a meeting with the State Governor failed. Nigerian Labour Congress Chairperson Emmanuel Ademokun said, “This time around, we will not listen to any person. People who would want to prevail on us not to go on strike should first prevail on the governor to meet our demands.” Nigerian teachers continue long-running strike Nigerian teachers in Benue State are continuing their five-month strike for the minimum wage. The chairman of the primary school teachers’ union, KNUT, Godwin Anya, said the government has abandoned a recent committee created to find resolutions to the situation. He said the strike would continue until the government implements the minimum wage.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 05:52:44 +0000
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