The Star reports that electricity users should brace for load shedding that will last indefinitely as wage negotiations between Eskom and its protesting employees hit a brick wall.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe conceded that the industrial action was a result of Eskom and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) not reaching an agreement at the Central Bargaining Forum on Friday, where the unions planned to give feedback on the wage offer that Eskom gave two weeks ago.

“The parties met and deliberated on the wages and the additional demand for bonuses, and jointly resolved to reconvene on August 3 for further talks. Eskom is disappointed that the employees, through their trade unions, resorted to disrupt operations today (Monday),” said Phasiwe.

He warned the employees that the power utility was designated as an essential-service provider, and as such, employees were prohibited from participating in any form of industrial action that would further hurt the country, its people and the economy.

The service provider has since issued a load shedding schedule on its website and municipal platforms. “Due to the current industrial action, people are not at their workstations and others have been intimidated through acts of sabotage and obstruction of access controls, so that has affected productivity and operations at the various Eskom sites.

“We have since implemented a ‘supply and demand’ system by checking the hourly demand and capacity of power utilised. We also warn that from this evening (Tuesday), the risk of load shedding will be high for an unspecified period,” said Phasiwe.

The utility has advised that load shedding will be conducted from stage 1 to 4, depending on the capacity shortage. It said load shedding was being implemented as a last resort to protect the power system from total collapse or blackout.

“Eskom has sought the services of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to facilitate the engagement between the organisation and union leaders to resolve the impasse.

“We are hopeful that all parties will put South Africa first as we endeavour to find an amicable solution.”

The SAPS had been mobilised to maintain order and to enable safe access to power stations as these were national key points, Phasiwe added. NUM is demanding that Eskom pay bonuses for the financial year 2017/18.

The union’s spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, said the issue of bonuses was “a deal breaker”.  “We remain adamant that the bonus payment is a deal breaker. Without a bonus there will be no agreement as per our members’ mandate. We demand that Eskom pay the hard-working workers who averted load shedding their bonuses. As it is reflected in the performance score sheet, workers performed exceptionally well,” Mammburu said.

He added the performance contract presented in May indicated that workers had performed well and therefore deserved bonuses.

Among those who took to social media over the load shedding threat was former Eskom executive Matshela Koko, who said: “To my former colleagues at #eskom, loadshedding is a bad by all means & hurts all of us, especially if rumours of sabotage are true. Security of electricity supply means a lot to preserving jobs. Leaders must lead on both sides, including government. Arrogance is hurting all of us.”

The original of this report by Siphumelele Khumalo appeared on page 2 of The Star of 1 August 2018

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