Workers at Northam Platinum are reported to be planning to take the miner to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

The trade union Solidarity revealed that workers had contacted them and confirmed they would be seeking to highlight problems with their current salary.

The organisation told Business Day that its members at Northam had voted in favour of taking the platinum outfit to the CCMA.

Solidarity said it was seeking a strike certificate amid a dispute over wages.

Northam Platinum has offered a five per cent salary increase, raising this by a further one per cent in January. Solidarity says it wants an increase of ten per cent - eight per cent in salary and a further two per cent production bonus.

"During the past financial year, ending on June 30, 2004, Northam Platinum made a profit of 253.6 million rand. The dedication shown by the workers is one of the main reasons for Northam Platinum's success," argued Solidarity national organiser Tommy Wederspoon.

Northam Platinum is the fourth largest platinum producer in South Africa.