Johannesburg – Talks aimed at ending the four-month-old strike in the platinum mining sector continued at an undisclosed location in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“I am afraid that we are not going to disclose any feedback during the talks,” said Charmane Russel on behalf of platinum mining companies.
Impala Platinum (Implats) [JSE:IMP], Lonmin [JSE:LON] and Anglo Platinum (Amplats) [JSE:AMS] went to the Labour Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, to oppose the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union’s (Amcu’s) urgent interdict to prevent them from speaking directly to union members through text messages.
Instead of the court case being heard, parties have spent the time behind closed doors.
Amcu members downed tools on January 23 demanding a basic salary of R12 500 per month.
They rejected the companies’ offer which would bring their cash remuneration to R12 500 by July 2017.
The remuneration includes a living out and holiday leave allowance, but excludes medical and retirement benefits, and any bonuses.
The mediation talks were being facilitated by the labour court.
Previous talks facilitated by the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) stalled in March after the CCMA ruled that the parties were too far apart.