Unions sign wage deals with Eskom

Johannesburg - Solidarity said on Friday that it and two other major trade unions had signed two-year wage agreements with Eskom that will see pay rises of 8.5% over the next two years.

"The agreement was also signed by the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA," spokesperson Deon Reyneke said in a statement.

A source at the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) confirmed that it had signed up to the deal.

The agreement included a 8.5% standby allowance increase for both years, a 10 to 12% existing performance bonus, and a housing allowance increase from R2 000 to R2 300 per month.

The agreement made provision for further negotiations, should the inflation rate rise above the agreed-upon annual salary increase percentage.

"With this condition, all parties to the agreement accept that a protective clause, which provides for further negotiation should the inflation rate rise above 8.5% during the next two years, is built into the agreement," Reyneke said.

Ndlela Radebe, acting NUM energy sector coordinator, said the wage agreement made provision for further negotiations should the inflation rate rise above the agreed-upon annual salary increase percentage.

"All parties to the agreement accept that a protective clause, which provides for further negotiation should the inflation rate rise above 8.5% during the next two years, is built into the agreement," Radebe said.

 - Reuters with Sapa