Numsa rejects latest Eskom wage offer
Unions have rejected the latest wage offer from Eskom during the third round of negotiations at the centralised bargaining forum.
Eskom revised its wage offer of 4,5% from the previous 3,75% on Tuesday.
At the same time, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it is now demanding a 12% wage increase, down from the original demand of 15%.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says Eskom needs to factor in the high cost of living.
“What they have basically proposed is a 0,75% increase and this is not even based on CPI. Eskom is not taking into account the impact of the cost of living on ordinary workers of Eskom. Our members at the CBF have been denied proper increases, whilst their benefits and conditions were slashed.
“At the same time, Eskom spends 70% of its operational cost on paying bloated Primary Energy cost which benefits the private sector only, but it spends only 8% of its operational cost on workers’ salaries in the CBF.”
Unions are also demanding an 80% medical aid contribution from the employer and a 20% contribution from workers, along with a housing allowance increase of R1100.
Hlubi-Majola says they expect negotiations to continue until Thursday.
“The cost of workers’ salaries and benefits have remained the same since 2016/17. Eskom must come back to the negotiating table with a genuine offer which speaks to the demands made by workers.”
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