THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it suspects that Impala Platinum might be using "delaying tactics" as the workers' strike entered its 12th day.
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it suspects that Impala Platinum might be using "delaying tactics" as the workers' strike entered its 12th day.
A meeting between the union and Implats management on Wednesday ended in a stalemate as none of the parties was prepared to move from their positions.
The union is demanding a 14percent increase and adjustments to housing and transport allowances, while Implats is offering 10percent.
The mining company's daily financial losses are estimated at R9million.
NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said: "There is a possibility that the company may be sitting with a lot of platinum stock, which means that it is not under any pressure to sell.
"If that's the case it means that the company is using strike action to save on wages as the 'no work no pay' rule is applicable."
On Wednesday the company released a statement saying: "Some of the NUM branches have accepted the current offer and have returned to work."
Seshoka disputed this.
"It's a public relationsexercise aimed at downplaying the impact of the strike action in the eyes of the investors," he said.
In a statement the company said it believes that in light of the current economic situation, other recent settlements, and the decline in CPI to 6,7percent, the offer tabled was "fair and reasonable".
Meanwhile, at Aquarius Platinum no "concrete" agreement was reached between the NUM and subcontractor, Murray & Roberts.
The aim of yesterday's meeting was to discuss the re-employment of the 3900 workers who were dismissed for taking part in an illegal strike last week.
Zwelitsha Tantsi, NUM chief negotiator at Murray & Roberts, said there was "nothing positive" that came out of the meeting with the employers.
"Murray & Roberts informed us that Aquarius Platinum wants a scaled down labour of 3400. This means that 500 people won't be reinstated.
"The union members said they will only go back to work on condition that they are all reinstated."
Workers will march to Murray & Roberts offices in Rustenburg today to hand in a memorandum.
Implats strike enters 12th day
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it suspects that Impala Platinum might be using "delaying tactics" as the workers' strike entered its 12th day.
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it suspects that Impala Platinum might be using "delaying tactics" as the workers' strike entered its 12th day.
A meeting between the union and Implats management on Wednesday ended in a stalemate as none of the parties was prepared to move from their positions.
The union is demanding a 14percent increase and adjustments to housing and transport allowances, while Implats is offering 10percent.
The mining company's daily financial losses are estimated at R9million.
NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said: "There is a possibility that the company may be sitting with a lot of platinum stock, which means that it is not under any pressure to sell.
"If that's the case it means that the company is using strike action to save on wages as the 'no work no pay' rule is applicable."
On Wednesday the company released a statement saying: "Some of the NUM branches have accepted the current offer and have returned to work."
Seshoka disputed this.
"It's a public relationsexercise aimed at downplaying the impact of the strike action in the eyes of the investors," he said.
In a statement the company said it believes that in light of the current economic situation, other recent settlements, and the decline in CPI to 6,7percent, the offer tabled was "fair and reasonable".
Meanwhile, at Aquarius Platinum no "concrete" agreement was reached between the NUM and subcontractor, Murray & Roberts.
The aim of yesterday's meeting was to discuss the re-employment of the 3900 workers who were dismissed for taking part in an illegal strike last week.
Zwelitsha Tantsi, NUM chief negotiator at Murray & Roberts, said there was "nothing positive" that came out of the meeting with the employers.
"Murray & Roberts informed us that Aquarius Platinum wants a scaled down labour of 3400. This means that 500 people won't be reinstated.
"The union members said they will only go back to work on condition that they are all reinstated."
Workers will march to Murray & Roberts offices in Rustenburg today to hand in a memorandum.
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