Numsa rejects Eskom wage offer

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) on Thursday rejected Eskom’s wage increase offer.

“Our members are agitated and ready to embark on strike action as part of the measures to convince Eskom to accede to their demands,” Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said at a media briefing in Johannesburg.

Jim said the union had put together a team of lawyers to look at the legal aspects to ensure that should workers strike, it would be legal.

As Eskom was an essential service, industrial action could be illegal.

He was not certain when workers would down tools but said they were also going back to the negotiating table with the parastatal.

On Wednesday Eskom offered workers an 8,5% wage increase across the board and a R1 000 housing allowance.

“This offer was overwhelmingly rejected by our members.”

The union was demanding a 9% wage increase across the board, a R2 500 housing allowance and six months’ paid maternity leave.

Numsa also called on the government to work jointly with Eskom to ensure the dispute was resolved.

Meanwhile, Eskom on Thursday said it had not received a notice to strike from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

This was despite the NUM’s statement on Wednesday that it had issued the utility with a 48-hour notice.—Sapa, I-Net Bridge