Eskom announces end to NUM strike

The illegal strike by members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is over‚ Eskom said on Friday.

A statement from the utility said: “Eskom is pleased to announce that it has reached a two-year wage agreement with its recognised trade unions‚ ending this week’s illegal strike action by members of the NUM.

“In addition‚ the housing allowance will also be increased by R160 per month this year‚ and a further R140 per month next year – bringing the total housing allowance to R3000 per month over the next two years.

“The conclusion of this necessary chapter in our business environment enables us to now firmly focus on the task at hand of ensuring that we keep the lights on to enable growth.”

The NUM members downed tools on Wednesday in a nationwide strike over wages‚ in defiance of a court interdict. Eskom had obtained an interdict from the Labour Court late on Tuesday to stop NUM members embarking on a strike.

The company warned that strikers would face disciplinary action.

As an essential service‚ all Eskom employees are prohibited from engaging in any form of industrial action‚ including stay-away action and any other action that retards or obstructs Eskom’s operations‚ it noted.

The utility said: “Any employee that participates in such action would be carrying out an act of misconduct‚ and disciplinary action will be instituted against him/her.”

Separately‚ wage negotiations between Eskom and three unions — NUM‚ National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and Solidarity — continue today under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

Eskom said it is hopeful that an amicable settlement will be reached soon.

The unions’ demands include a wage increase of between 12% and 13%‚ while Eskom is currently offering between 7% and 9%.