COLUMBUS, Mont.—A strike involving hundreds of workers at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Stillwater Mine and Columbus metallurgical facilities has ended after union employees approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
The strike began Sept. 3 and lasted more than a month. Employees are expected to return to work Oct. 9.
The agreement provides a 4.5% wage increase in the first year. In the second year, workers will receive the greater of 3.5% or the Consumer Price Index, followed by the greater of 3% or the CPI in the third year.
The contract is retroactive to June 1, 2026, and runs through May 31, 2029.
Union negotiators reached a tentative agreement with the company last week before sending the contract to membership for a vote. Voting concluded Tuesday evening.
The agreement also retains a team-based incentive structure that had been a significant point of disagreement during negotiations. The company has said the incentive changes are intended to reduce production costs and more closely align its Montana operations with industry practices.
Some long-term employee benefits will also be reduced under the new contract.
Workers at the East Boulder Mine reached a separate agreement earlier and did not participate in the strike. About 55% of East Boulder employees voted in favor of that contract.
Sibanye-Stillwater said the Columbus metallurgical complex continued operating during the strike with management employees, while East Boulder remained in operation.
The company said it is preparing for workers to return to the Stillwater Mine and Columbus facilities and thanked employees and the United Steelworkers for their participation in the negotiations.