S. Africa union delays power strike threat
Members of the South African National Union of Mineworkers who work for electricity company Eskom have threatened to strike in negotiations fail again. The company is offering an 8% raise and a one-time 1% payment. The unions want a 5,000 rand housing allowance and a 15% pay raise. Talks are due to resume on Monday with a mediator, but union officials say that issues need to be worked out by then, or a strike will most likely occur. Two other unions may also join the strike, making up a third or 32,000 of Eskom's work force. One of the largest unions, COSATU has also said that it may strike during the World Cup due to increases in power prices by Eskom. Some are criticizing what they say are unions taking advantage of the World Cup to win concessions from employers. Eskom says that it has backup power sources ready for fields if a strike does occur.
See "S. Africa union delays power strike threat", Shapi Shacinda, The International Business Times, June 17, 2010