Northam Platinum workers in South Africa commenced industrial action today (6th September) over an ongoing wage dispute, it has been confirmed.

The company has offered the miners a pay rise of eight per cent as part of a two-year deal, but the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is holding out for a 15 per cent hike.

Northam has a total workforce of 8,600 and claims that the union represents 80 per cent of those individuals, while the NUM has suggested that it actually has about 8,000 members at the firm.

Although Northam is yet to comment on the details of the strike, the NUM announced that it is now underway.

"The strike has already begun, but we will know later whether it will be the entire membership involved," said spokesman Lesiba Seshoka in an interview with Reuters.

Wage talks are crucial to the platinum mining industry in South Africa, as industrial action invariably impacts on companies' production levels.

Northam produced 321,475 oz of pgms in the financial year to the end of June 2010.

Source:
South Africa miners start wage strike at Northam (06/09/10)

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