Tortuous public sector wage negotiations are underway, as another deadlock has been reached which could mean a damaging strike.
As Mugwena Maluleke, convenor of the Cosatu public sector unions has warned: “If the negotiations reach a breaking point, they will severely affect the public in what will follow”.
After seven months of talks, the dispute over future wage increases and benefits for some 1.3 million civil servants is now in conciliation.
The government, as the employer, has until Monday to table revised proposals. These seem likely to include a pay deal that will take account of increases in the rate of inflation beyond the present estimate of 4.8%.
Meanwhile workers have been on strike at Medupi power station in Limpopo for nearly six weeks, Eskom said on Wednesday.
Those wanting to go back to work have been intimidated from doing so, the power utility said in a statement.
“The striking employees belonging to contractors on the Medupi Power Station Project have not heeded the call to return to work since the unprotected industrial action that took place on March 25, 2015, despite a court interdict as well as ultimatums issued in this regard…
“Violence and intimidation was experienced in the accommodation areas where these employees reside as well as en-route to the project site. This has resulted in employees that want to return to work, being prevented or intimidated from doing so.”
The police was keeping a close eye on the situation but it remained “tense”, News24 reported.
Labour unrest has been plaguing Medupi, a dry-cooled coal-fired power station meant to alleviate South Africa’s under pressure power grid.
Source: News24