Talks in a bid to settle a pay dispute between Eskom and three unions continued into Thursday evening.
”Negotiations may go on until very late in the night,” said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans. ”We are positive about reaching a settlement.”
Kleynhans said Solidarity had rejected Eskom’s offer of an increase between 6% and 9%.
”We have rejected the offer since Eskom said the increase would only be implemented among its lowest paid employees. Workers will not really see an increase … there is only 330 workers who qualify for the 9% increase,” said Kleynhans.
Kleynhans said Solidarity, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) had rejected the offer.
The three unions have been in negotiations with Eskom for over a month. The unions are demanding a 12% wage increase.
Kleynhans said the union would lower its 12% wage demand.
Meanwhile the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has called on both parties to come to an agreement.
Spokesperson Nhlanhla Cebekhulu said: ”We hope that both parties come to an amicable solution. It is obvious that if they do not come to an agreement, it will affect customers negatively in that there may be power interruptions.”
On Wednesday, the unions were served with an interdict preventing them from going on strike.
”Negotiations will go on until night time if necessary,” said Kleynhans.
Eskom could not be reached for comment on Thursday night. – Sapa