Union Put De Beers Diamonds On 48-Hour Strike Notice

Diamond company De Beers has been told by a union representing its employees at its South African operations that their members will go on strike within 48 hours if the dispute between the parties is not resolved by that time, Mining Weekly reports. General Secretary Frans Baleni gave notice to De Beers on behalf of the National Union of Mineworkers on Wednesday, but if the strike goes forward it would begin on Sunday or Monday, after the weekend. Baleni also stated that the union was still open to further negotiations to break the deadlock.

The dispute is primarily over wages, with De Beers expressing willingness to agree to a wage increase of 6%, but the Mineworkers Union is asking for a pay raise of 13%. It had earlier demand a 17% pay hike, accordint to Mining Weekly. South Africa's inflation rate is 5.9%.