From Workers World.

South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers is demanding 60 percent salary raises, bringing salaries up to at least $850 a month for underground workers and $750 for surface workers.

South African miners threatened strikes after an announcement that thousands of workers would be laid off. The mining industry has struggled since mid-2012 when a series of strikes slowed down or stopped production throughout the country, according to a report in Workers World.

The union also made other demands involving housing, transportation and insurance, the report says.

In the platinum industry, 34 people died when strikes turned violent Aug. 16 in what has become known as the Marikana Massacre.

Two mine workers unions – National Union of Mineworkers and The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union – are battling to be recognized as the principal bargaining unit for the Lonmin Mines at Marikana. The National Union is the official representative of the workers.

Read more at Workers World.