Unions reject Eskom’s 3.5% multi-year wage increase offer

Pylons carry electricity from a sub-station of state power utility Eskom outside Cape Town in this picture taken March 20, 2016. Reuters.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity have so far rejected power utility Eskom’s offer of a 3.5% multi-year wage increase.

This, after a three-day marathon meeting between Eskom and unions at the National Bargaining Forum.

Labour unions representing a large share of Eskom’s 42 000 workforce are demanding a 15% wage increase.

Eskom Spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says the offer speaks to balancing operations while looking out for the workers’ needs.

“Eskom tabled the offer and now the trade unions will have to motivate for their demands and we will take it from there. From our side, we commit to being transparent and to being fair to the process to ensure that it is sustainable and we will ensure that the interests of the employees are safeguarded.”

WATCH | NUMSA has turned down Eskom’s 3.5% wage increase offer, instead pushing for a 15% across-the-board increase. pic.twitter.com/FiIPLjNeco

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 27, 2025