Loss of Support
According to Justice Malala, writing in The Guardian, "The NUM has lost all credibility and is bleeding members. Its already well-paid secretary, Baleni, was awarded a salary increase of more than 40% last year and his total salary package is just more than R105 000 a month. NUM leaders have refused to get out of police armoured vehicles to address workers." Others have also argued that NUM's membership numbers are inflated and, now, as a result of the strikes in the North West, its membership likely stands at around 150,000.
Others praised the organization. An editorial in Business Day newspaper said "The NUM is the thoughtful, considered heart of the union movement here... It appreciates and values private capital and strong companies."
The rival union the AMCU has increased in membership since the Marikana shootings and now represents over 40% of employees at Amplats and 70% at Lonmin.
Read more about this topic: National Union Of Mineworkers (South Africa)
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