Eskom workers prepare to strike after wage hopes dim
More than 16 000 Eskom workers are preparing to strike after wage negotiations deadlocked on Wednesday afternoon, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said.
“We are readying ourselves for serious confrontation on this matter and there is no going back,” NUM wage negotiator Job Matsepe said in a statement.
“Our marches and pickets remain on track as a build up for a more serious battle.”
However, Eskom said the unions first needed to arbitrate through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) before striking.
“We are in the process of implementing our final wage offer of 7% ... [and it] will be implemented for the September payroll,” said spokesperson Hilary Joffe.
“Any strike by Eskom employees would be unprotected, because Eskom is an essential service,” she said.
The NUM said it had rejected the electricity parastatal’s offer of a two year, 7% wage agreement.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and Solidarity also rejected Eskom’s offer.
The unions have been in negotiations with Eskom since April.
Our Coverage
More Coverage
The first dispute meeting between the unions and Eskom was held at the CCMA on Wednesday.
NUM chief negotiator Paris Mashego said the union would not give up on its demands without a fight.
“We hope to win and put brakes on Eskom’s watering down of benefits and wages,” he said.—Sapa
