Numsa, NUM warn of crisis as Eskom wage negotiations deadlock
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) are threatening to take their wage battle against Eskom to the streets.
The two unions held a media briefing on Thursday – describing the wage negations as “on the way to a deadlock”.
Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim says both unions will head back to members in an attempt to mobilise them for demonstrations.
“We will be going back to members, we will be mobilising workers now for protest for demonstrations. We will not be at some point be responsible for what workers do in those particular demonstrations and protests.”
Negotiations with Numsa, NUM and Solidarity began on Monday, with NUM and Numsa demanding a 15% wage increase.
Solidarity seeks a 9.5% wage increase.
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Jim has also warned Eskom that the failed negotiations could dump the country into a crisis.
“Very soon, we think the the country will be running into a crisis if there is no swift moevemtn to come to the negotiation table and make a meaningful offer.”
Eskom has warned that wage negotiations have the potential to disrupt the country’s already ailing power supply.
On Sunday, Eskom implemented stage 2 load shedding after ten generation units were “lost” at seven different power stations.
However, all generation units were back up by Tuesday night.
#EskomWageTalks Numsa GS Irvin Jim says workers cannot be expected to “permanently fold their arms”.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) May 20, 2021
This is after the power utility Eskom tabled a 1.5% wage increase for workers while unions are demanding 15%. pic.twitter.com/oHXgBkSpm7
