The three unions involved in Eskom wage talks say workers have dropped their wage increase demand from 15 to nine percent.
On Wednesday, the NUM, Numsa and Solidarity rejected the power utility’s wage offer of a four-point-seven percent increase.
Eskom blames the recent load shedding on strike action by workers.
Numsa General Secretary Irvin Jim says Eskom needs more time to consider the unions’ proposal. He says they will resume negotiations next Wednesday.
“We have not received any progress today. We are where we were yesterday because the fundamental issue is wages. But for them to be able to respond completely, the board would apparently be able to have a full board on Monday.”
“The failure for Eskom to make sure that they have got an appropriate decision that can negotiate and take decisions on the spot does border on Eskom bargaining in bad faith. It took us pushing as to whether we are dealing with individuals who even have a clue on the relationship between labour and capital or union bashers in the true sense of the word. I think the process will determine what we are dealing with here,” says Jim.
