NO progress was reported on Tuesday in the strike at Columbus Stainless steel company in Middelburg that has lasted a month. Columbus communications manager Laing Geldenhuys said the company held informal talks with representatives of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa last week, but no agreement was reached. National Numsa co-ordinator Steven Nhlapho said there are plans for another meeting on Wednesday. Two weeks ago the company took a tough line, abandoning a 7,3% pay rise that Numsa rejected, and going down to 7,1%, plus 0,5% based on individual performance.