adminJOHANNESBURG. — The world’s biggest platinum producers said yesterday they had reached “in principle undertakings” with South African union leaders which could end the crippling strike.
Union leaders would now seek a mandate from their members to accept offers on pay and conditions and if they succeed “it will bring to an end the 21-week long strike,” Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin said in a statement.
Leaders of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union were meeting with union members yesterday, and the companies said they expected a response today.
Local media reported around 17 000 workers had gathered at Impala Platinum near Rustenburg northwest of Johannesburg, while others were gathered at Lonmin and Anglo American (Amplats).
“I’m aware that there is something that has been put on the table, but I can’t give details before (AMCU leader Joseph) Mathunjwa speaks to the workers,” union shop steward Bob Ndude told AFP from the Lonmin site.
South Africa’s longest strike began when over 70 000 workers downed tools on January 23, demanding that their basic salary be more than doubled to US$1 160 per month.
Employers called the wage demand unaffordable, and a series of negotiations, including recent government intervention, have failed.
Mining Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi warned this week that the mines could close if the strike continued, throwing thousands of people out of work and cutting off a vital export — AFP.
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