Unions hold the cards as Eskom faces fresh strike threat
Date: Aug 14, 2018
Eskom has accused unions the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) of stalling and condoning ill-discipline among their ranks, as tension remains over potential discipline of members who participated in an illegal strike.
The two unions are yet to sign the latest wage offer of a 7.5% increase for 2018 and a 7% increase for the next two years. Solidarity has accepted the offer.
Eskom has complained of poor conduct on unions’ part, signalling that the parties may still be far from reaching an agreement.
Last week, the two largest unions agreed in principle on the latest offer, but did not sign. The disciplinary action of members who engaged in illegal strike action last month remained a key point of contention.
“Eskom employees desperately awaiting the implementation of the agreement, the unions raised a new demand as an absolute precondition for signing the agreement at the meeting of 8th August 2018,” the company said in a statement.
