In South Africa's Platinum Strikes, One Union Risks Overreaching

The negotiations surrounding South Africa's platinum mining strikes, now into their sixth week, are about more than simply reaching a wage agreement: Mining companies and rival unions are trying to minimize the success of the relatively young group leading the protests, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union. The group is known for its intransigence, but if it is unwilling to compromise, it may not be able to build on its past successes — a development that could cost it some members down the line and, in turn, affect the larger platinum mining industry.