Platinum sector wage talks deadlock again

Johannesburg-S.A. (June 9)  Wage talks between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and platinum producers facilitated by Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramathlodi ended without agreement again yesterday, dashing hopes of an end to a crippling stoppage in the platinum sector.

CEOs of Lonmin, Anglo American Platinum and Impala Platinum joined the Amcu leadership in a final day of talks facilitated by an interministerial task team headed by Mr Ramathlodi.

The process "dissolved without an outcome", producers said in a statement. "During this process the producers have sought to arrive at a fair and sustainable settlement that would preserve the future of the platinum industry and limit job losses in the country."

The deadlock on Monday is one of many over months of negotiations. Both Amcu and producers said they would consider other avenues to end the strike.

Amcu would begin meeting with members to inform them of the details of the talks, a process through which members would give a mandate to union leaders about their demands, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said. There were other options available for a resolution, including continued mediation by the Labour Court.

Producers said in a statement on Monday they would now "review further options available to them", but provided no further details of their next course of action. They thanked Mr Ramatlhodi and his team for the initiative.

Source:  BDlive.za