The Marikana wage settlement could plunge South Africa's economy into deeper trouble as workers in other sectors are also demanding above inflation salary increases.
The National Union of Mineworkers yesterday rejected the 22% Marikana wage deal, warning it could possibly lead to more unrest in the mining sector.
Yesterday, Cosatu general secretary Zwelizima Vavi and senior NUM leaders had to rush to the Gold Fields KDC West mine in Carletonville, near Johannesburg, where 15000 workers had gone on a wildcat strike, demanding a rise.
Vavi said they had to prevent "another Marikana" after mine management had obtained an interdict to fire the workers.
"We cannot allow another Marikana situation. That is why we feel we must take our chances to see if we can resolve this situation [now]," Vavi said yesterday.
NUM convened a special meeting last night to deal with the matter.
SA Municipal Workers Union and unions in the transport sector this week threatened a strike if the government failed to agree to their demands.
NUM president Senzeni Zokwana said the Marikana deal - the workers will get increases of between 11% and 22% after weeks of violence - will put the future of formal negotiation structures under "threat".
This view is supported by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, who said the settlement setthe nation on a dangerous path.
But the government and business have welcomed the settlement - a development that could put Cosatu and the ANC on a collision course.
Speaking on the sidelines of the congress, Zokwana accused Lonmin of violating established negotiation processes, saying the company had earlier refused to give workers 15% when negotiating with NUM but did so under pressure from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union.
"My concern is not that they negotiated high salaries, but the fact that they are undermining the institutions for negotiations," Zokwana said.
He said the deal was a product of violence and coercion by Amcu and would encourage the breakaway union to use violence to secure increases in future. The Marikana salary settlement could also further deepen the fight for membership between the unions .
His comments came as police fired tear gas to disperse workers who had embarked on an illegal strike at an Anglo American Platinum mine near Rustenburg .
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane welcomed the wage settlement.
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