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Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) rejected a revised wage offer from Northam Platinum on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the company offered non-core category two to eight employees 7.5% increases, and core employees in the same categories 8.5% increases, chief negotiator Ecliff Tantsi said in a statement.
In categories nine and 10, the company revised its offer to seven percent for non-core workers and 7.5% for core workers, and the living out allowance to 7%, he said. The company was proposing a two-year wage agreement.
The NUM's negotiating team met union leaders on Wednesday to brief them about the offer, and met its members at Northam Platinum on Thursday. They unanimously opposed the offer.
"Our members are opposed to percentage driven increases and are in favour of quantum driven increases," said Tantsi.
"Workers are further opposed to a two year wage agreement with the company. Our members are further demanding that the employer must respond to the demands that are presented by the workers."
Workers were prepared to listen to a staggered offer if the company could not meet its demand for a R2100 increase for core workers and a R2000 increase for non-core workers.
"Our members are also opposed to the implementation date of the wage agreement from August 1, that the company is offering, and are in favour of July 1," said Tantsi. "Our members have warned that it is non-negotiable."
He said the union was open to further negotiations, but that the strike at the company's Zondereinde mine, in Limpopo, which began on Sunday, would continue.
