Implats fires 17,200 workers

[mass09]

Impala Platinum Holdings [JSE:IMP] announced on Thursday that it had dismissed a further estimated 13 000 mineworkers who participated in an illegal work stoppage at its Rustenburg operations.

This brings to around 17 200 the number of striking workers who have been dismissed by the group for failing to return to work by the deadline on Wednesday.

A process of rehiring for those employees who wished to reapply for their positions would be undertaken in due course, Implats said.

The strike began on January 20 when around 5 000 rock drill operators downed tools, apparently over wage grievances. In an apparent show of solidarity, they were joined on strike on Monday by the majority of workers at the mine.

The mine employs about 18 000 workers.

According to Implats, the mine is losing around 3 000 ounces of platinum per day in production.

At 13:13, Implat's shares were trading at R170.80 per share on the JSE, down R4.26 or 2.43% on Wednesday's closing price.

Link : http://www.fin24.com/Companies/Mining/Implats-fires-17-200-for-illegal-strikes-20120202

I wonder what will come of this. Can't think that the unions are too happy.

Production loss can't be too good for Implats either.

 

[wily me]

About time that business show some b@lls and use this exercise to show their rights and at the same time to get rid of some union scum. Unions will be the death of this country. They are mostly not looking after the interest of the worker but rather have to show off their "power" trips.

 

[McGuywer]

Agreed. None working employees should not be on the payroll....

I say, strike and your fired...

 

[noxibox]

About time that business show some b@lls and use this exercise to show their rights and at the same time to get rid of some union scum. Unions will be the death of this country. They are mostly not looking after the interest of the worker but rather have to show off their "power" trips.

Nothing new, companies have fired employees for illegal strikes before. Unions are however a basic necessity. A company is a group, not an individual, and as long as there is a power imbalance steps have to be taken to mitigate it. It's therefore ridiculous to expect employees, specifically the more easily exploited ones to deal with companies as individuals. Now naturally unions can get out of control. Generally though the power balance is currently fairly good.

Agreed. None working employees should not be on the payroll....

That's going to be a lot of management out on the street then.

I say, strike and your fired...

I say put the heads of top executives on spikes.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I say this is a good move by Implats...

Legal strikes are all well and good, but an illegal strike gets you fired...

They are also saying they will hire back workers who apply for their positions again, which is a good thing... it will hopefully teach the workers (in some way) that their are policies that have to be adhered to.

 

[Fuma]

I'm sure some of the employees did want to return to work, but they were scared to get intimidated or get hurt/killed.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I'm sure some of the employees did want to return to work, but they were scared to get intimidated or get hurt/killed.

Which is why Implats are offering them their jobs back if they apply for them i reckon.

 

[HavocXphere]

And that ladies & gents is how you get around our stupidly restrictive labour laws.

 

[wily me]

Nothing new, companies have fired employees for illegal strikes before. Unions are however a basic necessity. A company is a group, not an individual, and as long as there is a power imbalance steps have to be taken to mitigate it. It's therefore ridiculous to expect employees, specifically the more easily exploited ones to deal with companies as individuals. Now naturally unions can get out of control. Generally though the power balance is currently fairly good..

Say that to all countries that grew to be economically noncompetitive with their labour workforce due to the labour expense. Growth always follow developing countries with the cheapest labour and least red tape. So NO! unions are the biggest labour force curse in the long run.