Trade unions representing Eskom employees have unanimously rejected energy utility Eskom’s wage offer of a 4.5% salary increase, trade union Solidarity said on Monday, adding that the unions also opposed the parastatal’s “suggestion” that the agreement would apply over a four-year period.
Solidarity metal, engineering and electricity industry head Deon Reyneke on Monday described Eskom’s offer as “disappointing”, noting that it was lower than the current consumer price inflation (CPI) rate of 6.1%.
“We have requested Eskom to come up with a realistic revised offer which is above the current CPI. In addition, Solidarity’s members are not amenable to a four-year wage agreement and the trade union would, therefore, seek to have this proposal discarded,” he noted.
According to Reyneke, Solidarity were currently demanding an increase equivalent to the CPI inflation rate, plus three percentage points, as well as an increase of R500 on the current R2 000 housing allowance.
In the case of a multiyear agreement, the union sought an increase equivalent to the CPI rate plus four percentage points, as well as an increase of R500 on the current R2 000 housing allowance.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to achieve a favourable agreement for our members during the next round, without it being an unnecessarily protracted process,” said Reyneke.
The following round of negotiations would take place on May 28, 29 and 30.