Johannesburg - Rand Refinery, which has processed about one-third of the world’s gold since 1920, plans to keep normal operations during a strike started by some of its workers last week.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, representing about 35 percent of workers at the operations in Johannesburg, went on strike on August 27, Rand Refinery spokeswoman Carina Morgan said in an e-mailed statement.
The labor action followed a failed mediation over wage negotiations, she said.
Workers are demanding a 10 percent increase over the next two years, with the company offering 9 percent in the first year and 7 percent in the second and third years, Johannesburg-based website Miningmx reported, citing a union official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The union also wants polygraph tests banned, which have resulted in the dismissal of workers over missing gold, it said.
“The Rand Refinery plans to maintain normal production during the period of the strike,” Morgan said.
Jacob Xilongo, a regional secretary for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, said he couldn’t immediately comment, according to an e-mail.
Rand Refinery’s shareholders include AngloGold Ashanti, Sibanye Gold, Harmony Gold Mining and Gold Fields. - Bloomberg News