By Devon Maylie
JOHANNESBURG--Glencore Xstrata PLC (GLNCY) said Thursday that
1,500 workers embarked on a wildcat strike this week at three of
its South African chrome mines.
The company said the industrial action started Tuesday at its
Helena mine, east of Johannesburg, when 200 workers went on strike
to protest what they said was abuse by a manager against one of the
employees. The workers then mobilized and the strike spread to the
company's Magareng and Thorncliffe mines. The company said it is
investigating the employee claim.
"Production has been negatively affected," a spokesman for the
company said, declining to give a figure for the exact loss.
The company said the 200 workers that started the strike have
been dismissed and have until Saturday to appeal.
The Glencore Xstrata strike comes amid a renewed wave of labor
disruptions that started earlier this month when workers shut down
Lonmin Plc over a union dispute.
Gold and coal producers are preparing to negotiate with unions
over a new two-year wage agreement next month. The talks are
normally accompanied by strikes.
Write to Devon Maylie at devon.maylie'dowjones.com