South African Platinum Mines Face Fresh Strike Threats over Pay

The South African platinum mining industry could face a turbulent period as one of the sector's most influential unions has threatened strike action amid a dispute over pay.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which is an off-shoot of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said it would not hesitate to call for industrial action if its members voted in favour of a walk-out.

AMCU members have already voted in favour of a stoppage at Impala Platinum over wages and the union will canvas its rank and file this week at Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin.

"Yes, there will be a strike, if our members give us the go-ahead we won't hesitate to do that," said Joseph Mathunjwa, AMCU President.

He added: "The AMCU is not a company, it doesn't have a board of directors. We get a mandate from our members," he said.

At Amplats and Lonmin, the union is seeking a minimum monthly "living wage" of R 12,500 ($1,200, £733) for entry-level workers – which is more than double current rates.

In addition, at Implats the union scaled back its demand late last year to just more than R 8,500.

AMCU has emerged as the dominant union on South Africa's platinum belt over the past two years after wresting tens of thousands of members from the once NUM in a violent turf war in which dozens of people were killed.

The union also has thousands of members in the gold sector who have rejected wage increases of 8% agreed last year by the NUM.