“The current conditions at Eskom are very tense, exactly because employees have no way of voicing their frustrations. However, Eskom is fully aware of having the upper hand in this battle and the company is therefore not willing to adhere to the demands and needs of employees,” explained Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans. “Solidarity and the other unions in Eskom have been fighting for years to achieve the implementation of a minimum service agreement that will grant dissatisfied employees some room to take fair action, but Eskom is not trying whatsoever to resolve the issue.”

Solidarity emphasized that it is a responsible trade union committed to finding a workable solution in the current wage dispute, but that the unfair and poor management of Eskom is unacceptable and that the wage dispute could only be settled if Eskom urgently reviewed its offer. Meanwhile, Solidarity is considering taking up the matter with Eskom’s executive committee. “Eskom’s approach to its employees is reprehensible and in the meantime urgent issues, such as skills retention, are not getting any attention. Employees’ demands in this year’s negotiations are not really addressed – this while management are seizing increases of 25% for themselves. Eskom is playing a dangerous game by oppressing its employees in this manner,” Kleynhans added.

Wage negotiations in Eskom got bogged down last month and a dispute was declared with the employer. Meanwhile, the case has been referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The first mediation round was resumed last week.