On this day in 2014, the longest wage strike in South African history began when nearly 70,000 platinum mine workers struck. The five month strike cost employers R24-billion in revenue and ended with workers winning a pay increase.

The majority of these mine workers belong to a newly formed trade union, Association of Mines and Construction Union (AMCU), under the leadership of Joseph Mathunjwa.

The strike lasted five months, and on June 23rd, 2014, both the platinum companies and AMCU settled for a pay increase spread over three years. Several mine assets were sold off by the companies due to the burden of the strike.