Unions agree to end gold strike

The two unions representing striking South African gold miners today agreed to accept management’s latest offer and return to work, ending the industry’s worst strike in 18 years.

The National Union of Mineworkers, which represents more than 80,000 miners, and Solidarity, representing 10,000 miners, accepted an offer that includes a wage increase of from 6% to 7%, a higher living allowance for those not living in company housing, improved retirement benefits and funeral insurance.