NUM Pledges Unwavering Solidarity with USW Strike at Sibanye-Stillwater Operations Across the United States and Canada

The strike officially commenced on Thursday, 03 September 2026, following months of protracted negotiations that began in mid-April 2026. Despite multiple extensions of the previous collective bargaining agreement to facilitate an amicable settlement, Sibanye-Stillwater has persistently pushed for deep concessions rather than engaging constructively with labor.

The company is seeking sweeping operational changes that unfairly transfer financial burdens and corporate risks onto the workforce. In particular, management’s proposals threaten to escalate healthcare costs for workers and their families while eroding baseline earnings through regressive incentive schemes.

"As the NUM, we stand in resolute solidarity with our international ally, the USW," said NUM General Secretary Mpho Phakedi. "We deeply feel the impact these proposed changes will have on workers on the ground. The company must immediately stop pushing concessions, abandon its hardline stance, and bargain in good faith. We remain fiercely opposed to any attempts by Sibanye-Stillwater to undermine workers' livelihoods."

The USW represents 850,000 workers across metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply, and energy-producing industries throughout North America, alongside an expanding membership in technology, higher education, the public sector, and service occupations.

The NUM emphasizes that cross-border solidarity is essential to check multinational corporate greed and urges Sibanye-Stillwater to respect the collective bargaining framework and meet the legitimate demands of its striking workforce.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:

Mpho Phakedi, NUM General Secretary, 082 882 3452

National Union of Mineworkers Head the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) firmly throws its weight behind its international ally, the United Steelworkers (USW), as approximately 420 members engage in industrial strike action across Sibanye-Stillwater operations in the United States and Canada, including the Nye Mine and Columbus Metallurgical Complex.

The National Union of Mineworkers
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