Num kicks out Eskom offer

Johannesburg - The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) has rejected Eskom's latest 10.5% wage increase offer, claiming the electricity utility must satisfy housing demands as part of the same negotiation process.

Eskom has said it wants to settle housing subsidy issues in separate meetings, but the Mpumalanga chapter of Num does not believe Eskom, said Num spokesperson and chief negotiator Paris Mashego.

"Eskom is pulling the carpet out from under our feet," said Mashego, who was about to rejoin negotiations at the time of writing. "This is not how you should handle negotiations," he said.

Mashego said on Tuesday evening the outlook for a settlement was good but the latest developments represent a major setback and could lead to a nationwide blackout, which a commentator estimates would cost the economy R7bn/day.

"Our members are in a state of revolt," said Mashego. "They are now saying that we (Num management) are lying to them. I want to settle, but obviously we won't accept the offer."

The proposed strike of Eskom employees was planned to start this week, before the power company offered a 10.5% wage increase compared to union expectations of a 14% hike.

Num members staged an hour-long sit-in, refusing its own management entry to the meeting rooms at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration's offices in Johannesburg, Mashego said.

According to Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger, his team is trying to find out what caused Num members' anger. However, he said that no one was aware of any statement or communication that could have caused the upset.

"We're still trying to find out what was said, but there shouldn't be claims of victory or defeat at this point," Etzinger said.

"I still believe we're halfway there."

- Fin24.com