Are you tired of working as a contractor?
I worked at Microsoft for a total of nine years, 4 of those were as a contractor. At the time, I was very happy as a contractor. I had the benefits of a subsidized medical plan, and I worked for a pretty decent salary compared to most permanent employees at the time. Granted I did not get the benefits of the stock plan which in hind sight hurt a little during the glory years of Microsoft in the early 90’s, but that never really was a show stopper. Generally I was a very happy young contract employee, and not once did the thought ever cross my mind to take my employers hostage.
Boy how times have changed. It was reported this morning that 500 miners have taken 5 Mine Bosses hostage underground at the Crocodile River Mine, near Hartebeespoort, North West of Johannesburg. The reason for this is reported to be that the miners are a little peeved at been employed as contractors on the mine.
The drama started when the miners arrived for work on Thursday morning and were handed pamphlets in which it was claimed management had reneged on promises to hold consultations with a view to making them permanent employees next month. They then decided to lock themselves in shaft four, taking several supervisors with them for leverage. The miners are adamant the only person they will negotiate with is mine boss Pieter Burger.
Is this just another stressed out South African community frustrated with corporate policy or will this story play itself out into another one of the many Union Negotiations happening around the country right now for better wages for the working class?
I wonder and will continue to watch with interest
