Eskom workers have begun preparing for a strike as early as Monday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Wednesday.
”It’s going to be a build-up process, we’re going to have massive mass actions throughout the country, then go on a stayaway,” said NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka.
Seshoka said plans for industrial action were still tentative and would be finalised after a meeting with other Eskom unions — the National Union of Metal Workers and Solidarity — later on Wednesday.
”Generally we agree that we need to take on Eskom together. We need to consolidate and hear what their members have said,” said Seshoka.
Seshoka said Eskom’s wage offer of 8% had been rejected by NUM’s workers, who are demanding a 14% increase.
He said the unions would inform the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, where negotiations with management had taken place, of this decision on Wednesday.
Eskom could not immediately be reached for comment. — Sapa