Wage negotiations between Northam Platinum and the mining unions have not managed to progress despite an improved offer from the mining firm.

According to Northam, the wage discussions between the two sides are deadlocked at the moment, although the platinum mining company did put together an improved package that would have seen the lowest grade workers receive a nine per cent increase, while those at the highest grade would receive a ten per cent hike in wages.

However, that offer was rejected by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which is still holding out for double-digit growth across the board.

"Our negotiators say things are very tense," Lesiba Seshoka, spokeswoman for the NUM, told Platts.

The NUM and Northam Platinum are due to resume talks on July 26th in one last effort to find a solution before strike action moves closer.

Source:

Unions, Northam wage talks deadlock despite improved offer, 17/07/07
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=112873

South Africa's Northam Platinum talks with NUM in deadlock, 17/07/07
Platts

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