Wage talks between Xstrata Chrome and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) failed on Tuesday, as the strike at two processing plants near Rustenburg entered its third day.
”The matter has not been resolved and today’s discussions have failed,” said Etienne du Preez, company spokesperson. ”It is an extremely difficult situation and we feel the people losing the most are the workers.”
Du Preez said the company has no intention of moving from its offer of an 8,75% wage increase, with 6,5% to workers on the highest salary bands.
Numsa spokesperson Bernard Mtyotywa confirmed that the talks have been going since 9am without agreement.
”The strike will continue until they change their mind,” he said. ”The workers feel the company is discriminating against them.”
Du Preez disagreed and said it is ”incomprehensible” why the offer was not accepted.
”It’s in line with other settlements across the industry and is a good offer. The cleaners at our company have the same benefits as the executives.”
The union and Xstrata will now go into negotiations over the terms of the strike, which could now continue for days.
About 1 000 Numsa members embarked on the strike on Friday following two months of unsuccessful wage negotiations. They issued the employer with the required 48-hour strike notice.
At least seven striking workers were injured when security guards shot tear-gas grenades at protesters outside the Xstrata Chrome plant on Monday.
Security guards took action after about 250 protesters attacked the vehicle of a non-striking employee, Du Preez said.
Mtyotywa said one worker was knocked down on Tuesday by a minibus, and was in hospital. No other serious incidents were reported. — Sapa