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Cape Town - The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and platinum mining firms are on the cusp of a breakthrough to end a bruising five-month long wage strike, according to union leader Joseph Mathunjwa.
The world's biggest platinum producers - Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP], Anglo American Platinum [JSE:AMS] and Lonmin [JSE:LON] - said on Thursday they had reached a wage agreement with Amcu "in principle".
Amcu is expected to report back to mines after meeting with striking miners on Thursday to discuss the offer.
Mathunjwa told the SABC on Thursday: "What was decided today is to accept the offer in principle based on some of the issues that have to ironed out by the employers... surely the agreement is imminent."
City Press reported that employers have put on the table a five-year agreement, while employees said they can only accept a three-year agreement.
The offer means that low-earning (level A and B) workers, including rock-drill operators, would get R1 000 increase in the first and second year and R950 in the third to fifth year.
Level C workers will get an 8% increase in the first and second year and 7.5% in the third to fifth year.
If the agreement is signed, a low-earning surface worker with an entry-level salary of R4 973 will have it increased to R5 973 excluding benefits and overtime allowance.
Low-level underground workers were earning an entry-level salary of R5 500 and R5 950 for panel and winch operators respectively. All workers within this bracket are going to have their salaries increased by R1 000.
Amcu members have been on strike since January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi set up an inter-governmental technical team to help break the impasse. He pulled out of the negotiations when a deal was not reached.
- Fin24 with agencies
The world's biggest platinum producers - Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP], Anglo American Platinum [JSE:AMS] and Lonmin [JSE:LON] - said on Thursday they had reached a wage agreement with Amcu "in principle".
Amcu is expected to report back to mines after meeting with striking miners on Thursday to discuss the offer.
Mathunjwa told the SABC on Thursday: "What was decided today is to accept the offer in principle based on some of the issues that have to ironed out by the employers... surely the agreement is imminent."
City Press reported that employers have put on the table a five-year agreement, while employees said they can only accept a three-year agreement.
The offer means that low-earning (level A and B) workers, including rock-drill operators, would get R1 000 increase in the first and second year and R950 in the third to fifth year.
Level C workers will get an 8% increase in the first and second year and 7.5% in the third to fifth year.
If the agreement is signed, a low-earning surface worker with an entry-level salary of R4 973 will have it increased to R5 973 excluding benefits and overtime allowance.
Low-level underground workers were earning an entry-level salary of R5 500 and R5 950 for panel and winch operators respectively. All workers within this bracket are going to have their salaries increased by R1 000.
Amcu members have been on strike since January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi set up an inter-governmental technical team to help break the impasse. He pulled out of the negotiations when a deal was not reached.
- Fin24 with agencies
