Wage talks between Eskom and unions will resume on Wednesday after the power utility tabled a 4,7% increase.
Unions, led by the National Union of Mineworkers and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, have undertaken to give the utility a response after consulting with their members overnight.
Things got off to a shaky start, with unions demanding the presence of Eskom board members and the CEO himself to negotiate with them.
They’ve argued that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan promised them such in their meeting with him last week.
Several adjournments followed as the Eskom delegation made contact with their superiors at Head Office. The demanded high powered delegation did not come. Instead, a new offer was tabled.
4,7% for this year and an inflation linked increase for the next three years to 2021.
Last week employees downed tools which led to load-shedding around the country, with Eskom accusing striking employees of sabotaging the power grid.
NUMSA General-Secretary, Irvin Jim says unions feel that Eskom top executives are not taking the negotiations seriously.
Currently, the unions are demanding between 10 and 15 percent. They also want the housing allowance to be increased from R3000 to R7000.
