Union says wage deal to end South African platinum strike is imminent

Striking platinum miners attend a rally near Lonmin's Marikana mine April 29, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The leader of South Africa's AMCU union said on Friday a wage deal with the top three platinum producers was imminent, signalling a possible end to a crippling five-month strike that has disrupted global output of the metal.

Workers from the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) begged leader Joseph Mathunjwa on Thursday to end the country's longest mining strike and sign the latest offer - an increase of about 20 percent, or 1,000 rand (54.7 pounds) a month.