The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has reached a deadlock with power utility Eskom after rejecting the parastatal’s offer of a 5.6% wage increase during collective bargaining negotiations last week.
The union said in a statement on Monday that it had since deferred the matter for mediation.
“We view the rejection of our collective bargaining demand as an underhanded tactic and punishment for Numsa waging a successful campaign to oppose Eskom’s ridiculous application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa earlier this year for electricity tariff increases,” commented Numsa Basic Metals and Energy national sector coordinator Stephen Nhlapo.
Numsa was demanding an increase of R3 000 across the board, a housing allowance of R5 000, a one-year collective bargaining agreement, a total ban on labour brokers, and an 80% contribution by Eskom towards medical aid.
“The mediation process will also inform and guide the next course of action we decide to take to force Eskom to concede to workers’ demands,” said Nhlapo.
Eskom was not immediately available for comment.