Eskom ups wage offer to 6.2%

Eskom made a revised threeyear wage offer yesterday of 6.2% for 2018 as negotiations between the power utility and unions continued for the second day.

Eskom is also offering 6% for the second and third years.

In terms of the offer, if the consumer price index hike is more than that, the increase will be based on inflation but it will not be less than 6%.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said it would consult its mem- bers on the offer.

On Wednesday, three trade unions, including Numsa, rejected Eskom’s 5% wage offer.

They said they could not take that back to their members for consideration and that they stood by their demand for a 9% increase.

Numsa spokeperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said Eskom had admitted that the independent power producers project was responsible for the financial crisis it found itself in. It also had not dealt with the demand to reduce the bloated top management structure of over 400 executives who earn hefty salaries.

“We have decided to take this offer back to our members for them to reflect on. They must tell us how they feel about it and give us a mandate for the way forward.

“We will meet again next Friday when we will communicate the decision of our members,” Hlubi-Majola said.