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Johannesburg - Up to 16 000 workers at power utility Eskom could go on strike by Thursday if their demands for a 18% wage hike are not met, a union spokesperson said on Monday.
"The talks have already deadlocked but mediators asked us to come back with fresh heads tomorrow," Lesiba Seshoka of the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) told Reuters.
Num is one of three trade unions involved in talks with Eskom at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Wage negotiations resumed on Monday morning after being cut short on Friday ahead of South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup game and it appears little progress was made.
The dispute between Eskom and the trade unions was referred to the CCMA after the parties failed to reach an agreement on wages and housing allowances.
Eskom is offering a 6% pay rise while workers want 18%.
But Num said it was perturbed by Eskom's ongoing refusal to make an offer of a housing allowance.
"The majority of Eskom workers live in the periphery in shacks, while their bosses continue to rake in millions in bonuses for apparently bringing in R3.6bn of profit," the trade union said in a statement.
It said it was aiming to secure a certificate of non-resolution from the CCMA on Tuesday. This would open the way for industrial action.
Earlier this month, Eskom secured an interdict on the basis that Num had not followed due process.
"Now that the union is following due process, a showdown looms," Num warned.
- Reuters and I-Net Bridge
