Reuters are reporting that South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and a local unit of cement maker LafargeHolcim have reached a deal over salary improvements. The agreement has ended a strike that had just begun its second week.
On 11 February, approximately 800 workers affiliated to the NUM began a protected strike, demanding a 13% pay increase and a 50 000 rand (US$3.28) housing grant.
Lafarge has said in a statement that operations at the plants have not been affected since the strike commenced.
The union announced that it signed a one-year wage agreement which included 8% pay increase and other benefits such as raises on housing grants and allowances for taking on temporary positions.
LafargeHolcim employs 2200 workers at 93 sites in South Africa.
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