<P> NUM campaigned successfully in the 1980s for the end of the job reservation system, a system which ensured that the best - paid jobs were allocated to whites . </P> <P> NUM is affiliated internationally with the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions . </P> <P> On 4 December 2007, the Union went on strike to protest working conditions in South Africa's mines . The strike was spurred on by a rise in worker fatalities from 2006 to 2007, despite a government plan in October to reduce fatalities . Less than 5% of mineworkers came to work on that day . </P> <P> On 10 August 2012, thousands of NUM members began a series of wildcat strikes at Lonmin's Marikana mines linked to demands for increased pay . The following day, NUM leaders allegedly opened fire on striking NUM members who were marching to their offices to demand support from their union - an incident now acknowledge as the first violent incident during the strikes . It is said in the media that the killing of two striking miners was a central reason for the breakdown in trust within the union amongst workers . In a submission to the Farlam Commission, NUM has said that lethal force on this day was justified . </P>

Roles and responsibilities of national union of mineworkers