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Polokwane – Negotiators for Medupi power plant construction workers said they hoped talks with Eskom and its contractors would yield positive results on Monday.
Workers downed tools last week after Eskom dismissed or sent final warnings to 1 700 illegal strikers and blocked them from entering the site. This was as a result of strike action on March 25 that was allegedly unprotected.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said they hoped the talks taking place in Midrand on Monday would end the dispute.
Numsa regional organiser Mahlodi Modike said there was a sign on Saturday that the negotiations had been a success and that Eskom would allow workers to return to the site on Sunday.
“On Saturday, they had indicated that workers will be returning to work,” he said. “But on Sunday when we returned, it was a different story and they insisted on taking action against protesting workers.”
The workers were demanding bonuses on the completion of Unit 6 at Medupi when Eskom identified 1 700 to discipline for what they said was an illegal and destructive strike.
Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said that 450 cases had been heard by the disciplinary committee, with 1 250 cases remaining. Of the 450 cases, 39 employees were dismissed, while 300 people were reinstated.
Numsa accused Eskom of negotiating in bad faith and demanded that it should be transparent and fair.
“We hope that today [Monday], we will find each other and be able to move forward,” he said.
Construction remained suspended at Medupi on Monday as non-striking workers were blocked from boarding buses that were set to collect workers at their hostels in Marapong section.
