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An Eskom power station.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has officially declared a wage deadlock with Eskom. This is after its rejection of the utility’s latest 7% offer.
Meanwhile, other labour unions, National Union of Mineworkers (Num) and Solidarity are spending this week consulting members after a gruelling round of negotiations at the Central Bargaining Forum.
On Friday, Eskom tabled what it called its “final offer” – a 7% across-the-board salary increase. The union is sticking to its demand for an 8% hike.
The labour union’s General Secretary Irvin Jim has described the offer as an insult.
“ A dispute of this nature has got a potential to compromise delivery of the reliability of supply because our members are completely rejecting the current 7% in the 1st year. Eskom must move and put on the table an extra one% just by looking on the budget of Eskom. Eskom can afford to give 9% in the 1st year to workers. We’re saying Eskom must give 8% in the 1st year, 7%; 7% in the following two years, we can compromise, but also Eakom must give R10 000 lump sum after tax.”
The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa #NUMSA has declared a wage deadlock at #Eskom in rejection of the 7% wage offer. Numsa is demanding an 8% salary increase citing Eskom’s improved financial situation #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/MwpHEF4lai
— Katlego Legodi (@KatlegoLegodi_) April 14, 2026
