The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the National Mineworkers Union (NUM) will meet with Eskom at the Central Bargaining Forum on Friday to discuss a wage proposal tabled by the power utility. 

Earlier reports claimed the two trade unions had rejected an offer of a 7% wage increase, something both unions strongly denied.  

Workers are demanding a 12% increase from the heavily indebted state-owned enterprise. 

The wage impasse has led to wildcat strikes at several power stations across the country and the subsequent implementation of stage 6 load-shedding for only the second time in the country’s history.  

Eskom has at the same time warned that the maintenance backlog, as a result of the industrial action, could take weeks to clear. 

Spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said on Thursday while some workers have started reporting for duty at the power stations, there is still a high level of absenteeism. 

Friday will see stage 4 rolling blackouts which will then be ramped up to stage 6 during afternoon peak time. 

Jacaranda News