Platinum miner Stillwater Mining has reached a tentative contract agreement with union leaders, it has been announced.

The negotiating committee for the Members of the United Steelworkers International Union have recommended that members approve the revised contract, which is due to be put to the vote today.

Two earlier drafts of the deal have been rejected by miners, who are seeking higher pay, a revamped and improved incentive plan, changes to shift patterns and the abolition of penalties for sick days.

The present contract offers a rise of three per cent this year, to be followed by rises of four per cent yearly.

Since the dispute began miners have already embarked on a day of industrial action, which meant that the firm's Columbus mine operated on a skeleton staff.

However, work at Stillwater's East Boulder mine near Big Timber remained unaffected by developments since the workforce is covered by another contract which does not expire for another year.

The first contract was rejected by 90 per cent of the union members, while the second draft was stymied when 55 per cent of the 800 striking miners voted against it.

Source:

Tentative Agreement Reached on Labor Contract at Stillwater Mine and Processing Facilities 16/07/07
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQF07313072007-1.htm

Stillwater palladium/platinum mine union votes today on third tentative contract, 16/07/07
http://www.mineweb.net/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page35?oid=23434&sn=Detail

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