Unions warn of blackout over Eskom wage increases
The National Unions of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) say while their members will not be downing tools at Eskom just yet, they cannot guarantee that the lights will remain on.
The two unions briefed the media on their wage dispute with the power utility on Tuesday.
Workers at Eskom are unhappy after the cash-strapped utility said there will not be any wage increases this year.
“We are left with absolutely no option but to follow the law to the letter to declare a dispute of interest against Eskom management.
“We will exhaust all options available to us legally before restoring to go on a strike,” Numsa’s secretary-general Irvin Jim told reporters in Kempton Park.
Jim says in the meantime workers are planning to picket on their lunch breaks.
“There will be a big picketing that will take place in (Eskom headquarters) Megawatt Park this coming Thursday, but we generally saying in all power stations workers must demonstrate because that is the mandate we have to the extent that we want to follow the letter of the law.”
“We demand an urgent meeting with the Eskom Board, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe.
“At the appropriate time, if government does not intervene, then the lights will come off,” Jim warned.
Workers at Eskom are unhappy after the cash-strapped utility said there will not be any wage increases this year.
“We are left with absolutely no option but to follow the law to the letter to declare a dispute of interest against Eskom management.
“We will exhaust all options available to us legally before restoring to go on a strike,” Numsa’s secretary-general Irvin Jim told reporters in Kempton Park.
Jim says in the meantime workers are planning to picket on their lunch breaks.
“There will be a big picketing that will take place in (Eskom headquarters) Megawatt Park this coming Thursday, but we generally saying in all power stations workers must demonstrate because that is the mandate we have to the extent that we want to follow the letter of the law.”
“We demand an urgent meeting with the Eskom Board, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe.
“At the appropriate time, if government does not intervene, then the lights will come off,” Jim warned.
A third trade union, Solidarity, has also declared a dispute of interest and will head to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to try and resolve the issue.