2 unions notify Sibanye of planned strike at South African gold mines

Two unions notified Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. of plans to launch a strike at the company's South African gold mines amid stalled wage talks, the company said in a March 8 statement.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union and the National Union of Mineworkers intend to start the strike with the March 9 evening shift. Both unions are demanding a better offer from Sibanye after they rejected the company's final offer that included salary hikes linked to inflation.

"Wage increases that are higher than inflation are not sustainable and cannot be considered," Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman said in the statement.

Sibanye's final offer lodged in early February comprised monthly salary increases of 800 South African rand for certain employees and a 5% annual increase in salaries of miners, artisans and officials over three years.

Froneman said the strike will only jeopardize the sustainability of Sibanye's gold operations and urged employees to consider the consequences of the labor action.

Workers at the Solidarity union voted to accept Sibanye's final offer earlier in March.

As of March 7, US$1 was equivalent to 15.29 South African rand.

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