Blackouts Persists Despite End of Union Strike in South Africa

  • Eskom’s output had been affected by recent strike action.
  • Although some workers are back, many are still absent affecting power production.
  • Eskom and union leaders have agreed to resume wage talks.
South Africa’s load shedding and its accompanying rolling blackouts are set to continue despite the end of recent strike action. The state utility Eskom was severely affected by unsanctioned strike action. Eskom noted, “while some workers have started reporting for duty at the power stations, there is still a high level of absenteeism.”. Many believe that this is reflective of the anger of the union workers towards the state-owned utility.

Eskom and union leaders had agreed earlier in the week to resume wage talks on Friday at the Central Bargaining Forum. Despite the strike being unsanctioned as Eskom is an essential service, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) protested.

Union leaders are working to get members back to work at four power stations in Mpumalanga. NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu noted that while workers had returned to their posts at five power stations, there were challenges in others.

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