Eskom workers continue with "illegal" strike action
The National Union of Mineworkers says its members will continue with their strike for better pay at Eskom - despite the power giant having obtained a labour court interdict last night to stop the industrial action.
NUM acting spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu says going on strike was a last resort for them as they have been in wage talks with Eskom since April...
"Our members feel that they are just wasting their time by negotiating with Eskom. So that is why they have decided to go on a full-blown strike today in all 9 provinces in South Africa. We can confirm that 15000 NUM members at Eskom are on strike."
The NUM called an urgent national shop steward council meeting yesterday to discuss Eskom's decision to reconsider its 7% offer.
After the meeting, members revised down their demand of a 12% wage increase to 10% for the lowest paid workers and 8.5% for the highest paid workers.
The housing allowance has also been revised down from R5 000 to R3 000.
Mammburu says they're meeting with Eskom again this afternoon while the power utility says it will continue its talks with unions in a bid to resolve the dispute.