The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has accepted Eskom’s proposed 7% wage increase, following a fourth round of tense negotiations at the Central Bargaining Forum.
The decision comes after six months of wage talks, during which NUM originally demanded a 15% hike alongside improved benefits. The union conducted a mandate-seeking exercise involving 130 national shop stewards representing approximately 15,000 workers.
NUM Deputy President Olehile Kgware presented the outcome in favor of the proposed wage hike, stating that after robust engagements with stewards and feedback from members across branches, NUM members are ready to accept the offer.
“NUM therefore will be accepting the offer tabled by Eskom,” Kgware said.
The current three-year wage agreement has job security at the power utility as its apex priority. Kgware emphasized that job security remains the driver of all decisions.
“What is important for us is the sustainability of Eskom. In the event we sign an agreement here and get out of 10% here and the next day we are served with section 189, members are retrenched, Eskom does not survive. How do we deal with that? So we are signing this agreement to say livelihood of our members is a priority, their membership and their employment is key,” Kgware explained.
Eskom has about 42,000 workers spread across the entity’s three divisions. Workers expressed that although they wanted more to help navigate the economy, they are satisfied with the 7% offer.
“The issue of 7% or whatever we’re getting won’t change the fact that currently we are experiencing electricity hikes and likes, but with what we are getting we will go on and improve our lives and also our families. It was not an easy one, but however we are at that point where we are saying victory is yes, we are accepting the victory of the offer,” one worker said.
However, not all unions are on board. NUMSA, one of the other major unions at Eskom, has already rejected the 7% offer. Trade union Solidarity is yet to make its position clear, as it is due to meet with its members for a mandate this week.
The parties will meet at Eskom’s headquarters at Megawatt Park on Friday, with the hope of finalizing a multi-year wage increase of 7% that will extend through 2028.