SA car-makers end dispute

JOHANNESBURG (Reuter) - South Africa's longest and costliest strike since President Nelson Mandela came to power in May ended yesterday when 25,000 car workers agreed to negotiations.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa said production would resume tomorrow while pay talks continue.

The strike, which began on 1 August, has affected car assembly plants of such firms as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, Nissan and Toyota.

Now 60,000 rubbish collectors, street cleaners and other municipal workers in and around Johannesburg are threatening to take strike action.