South Africa could face a complete blackout, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) warned on Wednesday in response to a court interdict against a strike at Eskom.<\/p>\n
The union would embark on an unprotected strike if Eskom did not meet its demand of at least a double-digit increase, Numsa head of collective bargaining Stephen Nhlapo said during a protest outside the power utility’s Megawatt Park headquarters in Sunninghill, Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
The power utility has obtained a court interdict to prevent its workers from striking because it is designated an essential service provider.<\/p>\n
Nhlapo said the union would not be intimidated if Eskom threatened mass dismissals.<\/p>\n
“There is not going to be load-shedding. It will be total blackout.”<\/p>\n
The interdict interfered with workers’ constitutionally-enshrined right to strike, he said.<\/p>\n
One lane of Maxwell Drive, outside Megawatt Park, was blocked as Numsa members sat in the road, singing and clapping, as metro police kept watch.<\/p>\n
Numsa is demanding a single-year wage deal with a 12% increase and R1,000 housing allowance.<\/p>\n
Nhlapo said the purpose of the picket was to pressure Eskom to negotiate in good faith.<\/p>\n
Eskom has reportedly offered 5.6%, but declined to confirm this, saying the wage negotiations were confidential.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on the potential effect of an Eskom strike on the economy, Nhlapo said there was no economy without workers.<\/p>\n
“The economy has been collapsing without us going on strike. You can’t blame it on workers.<\/p>\n
“If workers don’t have buying power, the economy will collapse.”<\/p>\n
He dismissed Eskom’s present offer as a “wage cut”, saying it was below inflation.<\/p>\n
Eskom issues power warning for the week<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n