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Johannesburg - Power utility Eskom on Tuesday promised to reduce the impact of strike action on the security of supply should trade unions push ahead with their plans.
"Should the strike go ahead, Eskom will implement contingency measures to reduce the impact of the strike action on the security of supply," Eskom said in a weekly power supply status report.
The utility's reassurances come as a possible strike looms following a deadlock in negotiations between Eskom and three trade unions on Monday evening.
Negotiations with labour unions over wage increases were set to resume on Tuesday under the auspices of the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Trade unions rejected Eskom's latest wage offer of an eight percent across-the-board increase on basic salary, a 5.6% increase to key allowances, and a R12 000 per employee once-off ex-gratia payment, paid in two equal instalments in July 2010 and July 2011.
Eskom said the ex-gratia payment was designed to facilitate the transition to a total cost-to-company pay structure, which will include a housing benefit and the
introduction of a defined contribution pension scheme as an option for existing employees.
But trade unions, representing more than 30 000 Eskom employees, were not willing to settle.
Initially reducing their demand from 18% to 15%, the trade unions latest offer is for a nine percent increase and a housing allowance of R5 000 per employee.
Now the CCMA has given Eskom until 10:00 on Wednesday to consult its executive committee on the unions' revised demand.
Solidarity's chief negotiator Bennie Blignaut told Sapa that if Eskom failed to return with a new offer on Wednesday, the unions - who were still in agreement on
the issue - would go on strike.
"It would be an unprotected strike, because they are essential services, but that is a chance we will have to take," Blignaut said.
But Eskom said it was confident that the parties would find a common ground on the matter soon.
"Negotiations are currently at mediation stage, and could go to arbitration should the affected parties not reach an agreement," said Eskom.
- I-Net Bridge