Wage talks between Anglo Platinum and trade unions set to take place this Thursday have been cancelled, a union official has said.

The official attributed the suspension of the negotiations to the mining company's refusal to significantly increase its offer.

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) representatives had initially declared a dispute on July 11th, but abandoned it after Anglo said it was mulling raising its offer.

NUM Deputy General Secretary Oupa Komane, told Reuters: "It appears that they were not coming up with something significantly different."

Mr Komane said that the NUM will now resume the dispute process and will meet with the company and government representatives from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on August 8th.

Previous negotiations between the two parties had stalled when Anglo offered a pay hike of between eight and ten per cent from its initial offer of seven per cent.

However, the unions are demanding a rise of ten to 12 per cent.

Sources:

Union cancels wage talks with Angloplat, row continues, 27/07/07
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=113489

Union cancels wage talks with Angloplat, row continues, 27/07/07
http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN722960.html

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