South African gold firms declare wage dispute with Solidarity union

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's Chamber of Mines declared a dispute with Solidarity Union over collapsed wage talks and referred the matter to a government mediator, a statement from the employer body said on Wednesday.

The Chamber of Mines, which represents four gold producers, said it rejected Solidarity's acceptance of a wage deal as the offer was dependent on all other three unions signing the deal.

"The final offer was made on the condition that it was accepted by all four unions," the statement said.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, The National Union of Mineworkers and UASA rejected the Chamber's final wage offer last week and declared a dispute with employers. The wage talks will now be chaired by a government mediator, a necessary step before unions can legally down tools.

The industry is facing demands of increases of more than double while gold companies offer raises of up to 17 percent.