Cape Town – Eskom has reportedly confirmed that many of its striking workers have returned to work, while wage negotiations continue.
This comes after the power utility reportedly tabled a 7% wage increase, a move that prompted labour unions – Numsa and the NUM – to call on their members to return to work.
“Eskom can confirm that many of its employees are peacefully returning to work since Tuesday night and there are no incidents of any protests that have been reported so far,” EWN quoted Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha as saying.
Talks between the unions and Eskom collapsed last week after the power utility offered workers 5.3%.
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This resulted in thousands of Eskom workers downing tools at nine of its power stations and other operating facilities.
This wildcat strike, combined with unplanned breakdowns, plunged the country into Stage 6 load shedding for the second time in the history of rotational power cuts, IOL reported.
In a joint statement, the unions said that the new offer will be tabled at the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF) on Friday.
If accepted by workers, the 7% offer would cushion workers against the effects of inflation which stood at 6.5% in May.
In the meantime, the unions have asked their members to return to work.
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