…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Unions Stand Firm on Wage Increase Demands Despite Eskom’s Offer
Eskom, the South African electricity utility, presented an increased wage increase offer on Tuesday, 23 May, although it still falls significantly short of the demands made by unions.
Below-Inflation Offer Rejected by Unions
Initially proposing a wage increase of 3.75%, Eskom revised its offer to 4.5%, which is below the inflation rate.
However, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), and Solidarity rejected the offer, remaining resolute in their pursuit of higher increases.
Unions Maintain Demands for Higher Increases
NUM and NUMSA are steadfast in their demand for wage increases of 11% and 12% respectively, despite Eskom’s revised offer.
Initially, the unions had called for a 15% wage increase.
Solidarity, on the other hand, seeks a 3% increase above the average inflation rate, which was 7.1% in March, and does not intend to revise its request.
Final Negotiations Nearing Conclusion
The final round of negotiations is set to conclude this week, with Thursday, 25 May, designated as the last day of engagements.
However, there remains a possibility of extending the negotiations if an agreement is not reached.
Hopes for Consolidated Labour Representation
Solidarity’s Deputy Secretary General, Helgard Cronje, expressed hope that NUM and NUMSA would reconsider their demands, enabling a more unified stance in labor representation.
Potential for a One-Year Agreement
The parties involved have agreed to pursue a one-year deal instead of a multi-year agreement, which adds a time constraint to the ongoing negotiations.