NUM suspends strike action amid negotiations

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Pretoria - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has suspended its strike action against power utility Eskom, according to a statement on Wednesday.

"NUM has this afternoon suspended the Eskom mass action which was meant to commence tomorrow pending the outcome of negotiations at the CCMA over the housing subsidy," said NUM spokesperson, Lesiba Seshoka.

Eskom has revised its wage increase offer from 8 to 10.5 percent. Workers, however, are still demanding a 14 percent salary increase as well as housing subsidy. 

The union had decided to suspend the mass action because it was still in talks with Eskom. "The parties are currently engaging each other on the housing subsidy as mandated by members during the weekend's consultation process," said Mr Seshoka.

The union said that its members preferred that the subsidy matter be part of the agreement than be treated as separate matter.

Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger told BuaNews that talks were still underway at the CCMA.

"Talks are ongoing, we have not received any feedback on whether the union has accepted the offer," said Mr Etzinger.