Eskom unions close ranks in wage talks
The unions demands include a 9% salary hike for 2018, while ratings agencies say the power utility tops the list of risks to SA
Trade unions at Eskom tabled a long list of demands on Wednesday that includes a 9% wage hike for 2018, almost twice what the utility offered. The National Union of Mineworkers, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and Solidarity consolidated their demands during a marathon meeting at which Eskom’s 4.7% offer was rejected. They are also seeking increases of 8.6% and 8.5% for the following two years. Negotiations resumed this week after a deadlock was broken by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, who said on Friday that Eskom would review its 0% offer. The unions also want a R1,000 housing allowance in 2018 and performance bonuses for 2017-18. The demands come as Eskom battles for survival with debts of about R350bn, stagnant sales and tariffs that do not reflect what it costs the company to produce electricity. Unless the power utility’s debt is dramatically restructured and operational costs slashed, it may not survive. For credit ratings agencies, Eskom remains at the ...
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