Fin24 reports that two trade unions will hold a one day shutdown at Eskom on Thursday over 0% salary increases, despite many of the power utility’s employees being barred from striking as they are deemed to render essential services.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) met on Monday to discuss a joint plan to the wage negotiation impasse. The two unions are demanding 15% increases across the board, a housing allowance increase of R2,000, the banning of labour brokers and the insourcing of workers such as cleaners and security guards. They also want paid maternity leave for six months and paid paternity leave for one month. NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said a march would be held outside Eskom’s head office in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, on Thursday. More details would be provided at a joint press conference on Tuesday. "They [workers] are aware they are essential services and they are willing to take the risk," Mammburu said. Certain sections of workers who provide critical amenities are deemed as essential services and may not embark on a strike action.
- Read this report by Tehillah Niselow in full at Fin24
- Read too, Unions to picket at Eskom offices over salary freeze, at BusinessLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page