Assume that load-shedding will happen this week. That was the message from Eskom to its customers in a media statement on Monday afternoon.
“Customers are advised to plan on the assumption that load-shedding will take place and are encouraged to check their load-shedding schedules on the Eskom and their municipal website‚,” Eskom said.
The power utility said industrial action – which has interrupted service at several power plants – is the result of ongoing wage negotiations between Eskom and trade unions the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa)‚ National Union of Mineworkers (Num) and Solidarity. The negotiations have been going on for almost two months.
“On July 27, 2018, the parties met and deliberated on the wages and the additional demand for bonuses and jointly resolved to reconvene on Friday, August 3 2018‚ for further talks. Eskom is disappointed that the employees through their trade unions resorted to disrupting operations today‚” said Eskom.
The power utility said the industrial action has “negatively impacted plant operations” at several power stations.“This includes acts of intimidation‚ sabotage and obstruction of access controls for personnel.”
Eskom said it would meet with trade union leaders to resolve the deadlock. “The South African Police Service has been mobilised. We rely on their expertise to maintain order and to enable safe access to power stations as these are National Key Points.”
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe tweeted on Monday afternoon: “The national grid is expected to be constrained this evening due to instability at several power stations due to acts of intimidation. Several power stations now running at skeletal staff‚ a move that could compromise our ability to ensure the security of power supply.”
Source: Times Live
