Two of South Africa’s largest labour unions have turned down Eskom’s revised 6% salary increase, arguing that the offer falls short of adequately compensating workers who played a key role in stabilising electricity supply and curbing load shedding.
The National Union of Mineworkers and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa rejected the proposal after the third round of wage negotiations held last week. The National Union of Mineworkers had initially demanded a 15% increase but later reduced its position to 12%. This remains substantially higher than Eskom’s offer and above the country’s December inflation rate of 3.6%.
The National Union of Mineworkers spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, said employees should be properly rewarded for their contribution to improving the utility’s performance. He stressed that workers were instrumental in ending load shedding and deserve recognition for their efforts.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa general secretary, Irvin Jim, likewise stated that the union does not accept the current 6% offer.
A third union, Solidarity, declined to comment, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing discussions. Eskom has not issued a public response to the unions’ rejection.
The power utility had initially tabled a 5.5% increase before adjusting it to 6%. Eskom is seeking to establish a new multiyear wage agreement. Its previous three year deal, concluded in 2023, provided non managerial staff with annual increases of 7% as well as a once off payment of R10,000 for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
Further engagement between Eskom and labour representatives is scheduled to take place on Thursday.