Mining union Solidarity has announced it is planning to organise a strike at Anglo Platinum over wage demands.

The platinum mining company has agreed wage terms with South Africa's largest mining union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), but the smaller Solidarity has refused to accept Anglo Platinum's terms and is preparing to launch industrial action.

Reuters reports that the union, which represents 1.6 per cent of Anglo Platinum's workforce, has obtained a strike certificate from government mediators and will decide this week on what, if any, action it will be taking.

"We're going to take the strike certificate back to the members and hold a strike ballot," Solidarity spokesman Reint Dykema explained to Reuters, according to Mining Journal.

Solidarity has maintained its demands for wage increases of between ten and 12 per cent, but Anglo Platinum has only been willing to offer increases of 8.5 to ten per cent in the first year. Although this was enough for the NUM last week, Solidarity is holding out in the hope of a better deal for its workers.

Source:

Smaller SA union gets nod for Angloplat strike, 10/08/07
http://www.mining-journal.com/Breaking_News.aspx?breaking_news_article_id=3467

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