Eskom deals to avoid W/Cup blackout

The deal, in which the government played an "informal" role, raises the bar, however, for public-sector wage increases and could put the government in a tight spot as public-sector pay negotiations are still to be concluded. On Sunday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said they had accepted a 9% wage increase and a R1500 monthly housing allowance and they would be able to "successfully sell the offer" to their members.

The deal follows the two unions last week issuing strike notices to Eskom, which has a funding shortfall on its expansion programme.