JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Platinum producers Anglo American Platinum, Lonmin and Impala Platinum on Wednesday tabled a new offer, delivered to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) commissioners, in an attempt to resolve the ongoing strike for an entry-level salary of R12 500, which started on January 23.

In the revised offer the companies proposed a three-year agreement with increases of 9% for A-band, 8.5% for B-band and 7.5% for C-band employees, which included miners, artisans and officials, during the first year.

In the second year of the agreement, A-band employees would get an increase of 8.5%, while B- and C-band employees would get increases of 7.5% and 7% respectively.

The agreement for the third year comprised a 7.5% increase for A- and B-band employees, and a 7% increase for C-band workers.

Initially the companies offered increases of between 8% and 8.5% for employees in the A- and B-band bargaining unit, which comprised category 4 to 8 employees, and 7.5% for C-band employees.

The platinum producers stated that the revised offer was based on a set of principles aimed at taking the sector “on a journey towards the goal of a R12 500 monthly pay package,” as was demanded by AMCU, but in a manner that was affordable and sustainable to the industry.

“Given our situation, this can be achieved only by means of a multiyear agreement based on total guaranteed pay. A R12 500 basic wage is simply not feasible in the foreseeable future,” the producers said.

The miners appealed to AMCU and its members to give the new offer favourable consideration, stating that extended strike action would have severe consequences not only for the industry but also for employees and their dependants, as well as for the country as a whole, with no prospect for gain.

Daily revenue losses for the three companies as a result of the strike activity were estimated to be R198-million with employees losing up to R88-million a day in wages.

AMCU had requested time to convey the offer to its members for consideration. The parties would meet again on Friday under the auspices of the CCMA.