City Press reports that according to the National Union of Metalworkers SA (Numsa), one of SA’s largest strike actions is about to take place.  

Numsa is calling for a national shutdown after state-owned power utility Eskom announced last week that five of its power stations, all based in Mpumalanga, would be shut down over a 10-year period.  These power stations are Hendrina, Kriel, Komati, Grootvlei and Camden.  Should the power stations be closed down, at least 30,000 people stand to lose their jobs, which Numsa refuses to allow.  In an exceptional move, Numsa and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have begun talks to join forces in their fight against the energy provider.  Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi said that at this point the union was focusing on mobilising its members and the general public, ahead of the mass protest action and that a date had not been decided on yet.

• Read this report by Avantika Seeth in full at City Press

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