JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African biggest union NUM has declared a wage dispute -- the first step towards a strike -- with Murray & Roberts, which could affect the firms' contract mining unit. The National Union of Mineworkers has rejected a 9 percent pay increase offer from the company, demanding a 15 percent wage hike. "We are serious about reaching an agreement but ... (the) company is unwilling to come to the negotiating table with a good offer," said Zwelitsha Tantsi, NUM's negotiator. The dispute involves Murray & Roberts' workers in its contract mining division. The construction industry reached a wage settlement two weeks ago after a week-long strike that disrupted work on 2010 World Cup Stadium. The union will meet the company on August 7, failing which the matter would be taken to the mediator. South Africa has been hit by strikes over pay demands that are piling pressure of President Jacob Zuma to fulfil his promises to help lift the living standards of the poor. | 
