Unions representing South Africa’s platinum miners warned on Friday of strikes in August unless management agreed to pay demands during last-ditch talks next week.
Talks between unions and employers in a country that is the source of 78% of global platinum supplies stalled on July 11, but a new round will begin on Thursday, National Union of Mineworkers chief negotiator Oupa Komane said.
“We have received a letter from management proposing a bilateral meeting on July 26 to negotiate further with us,” Komane said.
“I am sure they have something better to offer but if nothing tangible comes, our 30 000 members are prepared to go on strike in August.”
Industry giants Anglo Platinum, Impala Platinum and Northam Platinum have so far offered to increase pay by 8% to 10% but the unions are demanding raises of up to 12%.
The prospect of a strike has already forced prices of the metal to climb.
“It will be more and worse than this if our demands are not met,” said Komane.
“Production is going to be affected quite significantly. I am talking about millions and millions of rands in losses in production. They [the employers] need to think twice.”
The employers, however, are confident they can head off a strike in what is South Africa’s largest mining sector after gold.
“We have deadlocked, but we are still talking to the guys bilaterally,” chief negotiator for Anglo Platinum Henry Zondi said.
“We are hoping to resolve the matter as soon as possible.” — AFP