NUM ready to strike, says Exxaro

Exxaro has confirmed that the National Union of Mineworsouth africa forged steel balls machinekers is preparing for strike action. The resources company said in a statement on Sunday that a strike certificate was issued to the union by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Thursday 2 June after the parties met with the CCMA to resolve a dispute over the company's restructure plans.

However, Exxaro said to date it had not received union notification of the intention to strike. In terms of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), 48 hours notice needs to be provided to the employer. The company is considering its options, but contends that it has far exceeded the LRA requirements in terms of consultation with unions, it said. Exxaro noted it had previously communicated to stakeholders that it is restructuring parts of the group to improve productivity, reduce cost of services and operations and streamline its organisational structures. An extended process of consultation had taken place with unions and employees. The proposed restructure could lead to about 300 retrenchments but the company confirms that it is doing everything possible to limit the impact on employees and all options will be examined, it said. Exxaro currently employs about 10,500 people...