South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers declared a dispute Tuesday with the world's largest platinum producer, Angloplats, after pay talks collapsed and the union called the employer's offer "an insult."
This follows the declaration of a dispute, on September 5, by the largest union in South Africa's platinum mines, the Associated Mineworkers and Construction Union, with all three producers Angloplats, Implats and Lonmin.
The NUM, which has been hemorrhaging membership in the platinum mines over the last five years, still has recognition at Angloplats.
The NUM said in a statement that is wants a pay rise of 14.5% compared with Angloplats' offer of 6.75%.
"The NUM remains unshakable in its demands and will not and never accept Anglo's insult wage increase of 6.75%," the statement said.
"Anglo American Platinum confirms that UASA and NUM have declared a wage negotiation dispute, this is not a CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] declared deadlock and we continue to engage recognized unions and remain optimistic to reach a sustainable wage agreement," Angloplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said.
