THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, representing 400 workers at Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats) base metals refinery in Rustenburg on Wednesday declared a dispute with the company over wages. Numsa said it is ready for a battle with management after contract talks on Tuesday stalled over the wage issue. Numsa said it is demanding a 12% wage hike, while the company is offering a 7,5% increase. A spokesman for Amplats said the company will resume talks with the unions on January 11 and it is confident of reaching an agreement.