Anglo American Platinum "return to work" offer

Anglo American Platinum is providing an update on the ongoing illegal industrial action around its Rustenburg, Union and Amandelbult mining operations. It has been six weeks since the initial safety suspension, which was followed by illegal industrial action by mining operations employees in the Rustenburg area and subsequently at Union and Amandelbult.

The company reported last week that it had entered into discussions with its recognised unions, NUM, NUMSA, UASA - The Union and representatives of the Strike committee, to explore options to facilitate the return to work of the Union and Amandelbult mine employees who are engaged in illegal strike action. The status of the 12 000 dismissed Rustenburg employees also formed part of the discussions. The discussions between the parties have been focused solely on exploring options of ensuring striking employees return to work and did not include any wage negotiations.

At a meeting held on Friday 26 October 2012 all parties expressed commitment for a return to work in the interests of the employees, their livelihoods and the company.

The company made an offer to facilitate a return to work of all striking employees by no later than Tuesday 30 October 2012. The offer included the reinstatement of the dismissed Rustenburg employees. Employees will return to work on the same terms and conditions of employment as applied before the illegal industrial action commenced and will receive a final written disciplinary warning.

 The company has offered a once off "hardship allowance" of R2 000 net of tax in order to assist employees in dealing with financial difficulties arising out of the ‘No Work, No Pay' principle. The employees who did not participate in the illegal strike will be paid a once off "loyalty allowance" of R2 000.00 net of tax. In addition, all employees impacted by the no-work-no-pay principle will be afforded an opportunity to apply for a payment advance of up to R2 500.00 which will be repaid and deductible from employees' salaries over a 6 months period commencing in January 2013.

The offer is strictly subject to all striking employees returning to work and doing actual work/activities as required by the company from Tuesday, the 30th October 2012. The employees who do not return to work as required will not qualify for the offer of a once-off payment. The "hardship and loyalty" allowances will be paid 48 hours after the successful completion of the return to work shift on Tuesday 30th October 2012. Employees who do not return to work on Tuesday the 30th October 2012 will remain dismissed and/or be subjected to the illegal strike disciplinary action and will not be eligible for any of the benefits mentioned above. Employees from Union and Amandelbult who do not return to work on 30 October 2012, would be dismissed, subject to appeal.

The offer was accepted by all the worker representatives, the recognised unions and the Workers' Committee and they have committed to communicate the offer to their members today.

The CEO of Anglo American Platinum, Chris Griffith said "We welcome the opportunity to have presented this offer to the recognised unions and the strike committee. The offer provides a sound basis for employees to return to work and for the company to return to full operation, while maintaining our current wage agreement and negotiating structure. We hope that our employees will use this opportunity to return to work."

All employees are expected to report for duty at their respective operations at 07h00 (all shifts) to commence with the Safe Start-Up Programme.

Further updates will be provided when appropriate.

Statement issued by Anglo American Platinum through the JSE SENS Service, October 29 2012

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