South Africa’s platinum mining union Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has signed three-year wage hike agreements with Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum (Implats), and Sibanye-Stillwater.

The announcement comes after months of negotiations over pay for the workers of the platinum group metals (PGMs) miners.

In a press statement, Amplats noted that its wage agreement included an increase of R1,000 ($67.8) a month in basic pay for three years, or 5.5%, whichever is greatest, for each year of the agreement.

In addition to the increase in basic pay, Amplats employees will also receive an ex-gratia payment of R1,000 ($67.8) in July 2020 and R1,500 ($101.8) in July the following year.

Amplats CEO Chris Griffith said: “We believe this agreement will ensure the business can remain sustainable through the typical PGM price cycles, while our employees will benefit from meaningful pay and other increases.”

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Meanwhile, Implats’ operating subsidiaries, Impala Platinum Rustenburg operations and Marula Platinum, agreed to a wage deal that assures employees of increases to all major components of remuneration for the next three years, including basic salaries, medical aid and pension fund contributions.

Implats said in a statement: “The agreement is in line with current mining inflation of c.7% and takes into consideration the reality of inflationary pressures faced by our employees.

“The agreement removes substantial uncertainty for our employees and allows a singular focus on the pursuit of safe and sustainable production.”

Precious metals producer Sibanye agreed to increases to the basic wage of Category 4 to 9 surface and underground employees for both the Marikana and Rustenburg operations of R1,000 ($67.8) a month or 5%, whichever is the higher for the first, second, and third year of the agreement.

AMCU chief negotiator Jimmy Gama was quoted by Reuters as saying: “It has never been an easy journey … but we managed to come to this day where we are all smiling.”

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) played a major role in the wage deal.