REFILE-UPDATE 1-SAfrica union threatens to strike at Gold Fields

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* Union says 45,000 workers could take part

* Urges company to talk to avoid strike

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JOHANNESBURG, Nov 11 (Reuters) - South Africa's biggest union said on Wednesday it had received the go-ahead from authorities for its workers to strike at Gold Fields (GFIJ.J), over a disputed recruitment assessment method.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said some 45,000 workers across the world's fourth biggest producer of gold's operations in South Africa would go on strike unless the recruitment method was scrapped.

The union said the method acted as a barrier to new employees and staff coming back from maternity or annual leave, and wants the company to re-introduce an assessment method used previously.

"The method has been implemented unilaterally and it has seen many people failing to get employment or reappointed at Goldfields", said Keneth Bhuda, NUM Mining House coordinator.

The union asked the company to meet its demands and engage in further talks to avoid the industrial action.

(Reporting by James Macharia)