Eskom in last-ditch effort to avoid strike

Unions representing Eskom workers yesterday received a certificate of non-resolution of dispute from the CCMA, paving the way for them to serve the electricity parastatal with a 48-hour strike notice.

National Union of Mineworkers spokesman Lesiba Shesoka said the "clock was ticking" for Eskom.

The wage dispute between Eskom and workers, represented by Solidarity, the NUM and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA, came to a head last night.

"Eskom has shown us the middle finger, now we are ready to show it to Eskom with our 16000 members," said Shesoka.

On Monday, Eskom offered an 8% wage increase, a 5.6% increase on certain allowances and a once-off payment of R12000 to all employees. The unions rejected this offer, asking for a 9% increase and a monthly housing allowance of R4000. Late yesterday, the unions and Eskom met in a bid to resolve the dispute.

"We are back at the CCMA after Eskom pleaded with us," said Shesoka. ''We are here to see what they are putting on the table, but that doesn't mean the certificate is going ahead.''

Solidarity spokesman Dirk Hermann said there was now a "crisis situation".