Eskom obtains court interdict preventing strike action

© Kristaps Eberlins – 123RF.com

“We obtained the interdict last night and it essentially prohibits unions from going on strike,” Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told SAnews.

This as workers belonging to NUM, which is the biggest labour union at the utility, were reported to go on an illegal strike from today.

“There’s no reason or need to panic, operations at Eskom will continue,” said Phasiwe.

The union was originally demanding a 13% wage increase, which has to date been revised to 10%. Eskom, meanwhile, is presenting an increase of between 7 and 9%.

“Despite the court interdict, the Labour Relations Act prohibits people who work for companies like Eskom, from going on strike,” added Phasiwe.

Of its 47,000 total staff complement Eskom employs 15,000 workers affiliated to the NUM. The other unions recognised at the power utility are the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and Solidarity.

Eskom is due to meet with the union later this morning to try and resolve the impasse.

In June, Eskom announced that it has presented a 7% salary increase across the board for its employees.

Wage negotiations with the unions commenced in May 2016.