The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has warned “bosses who represent garage employers” to come up with an offer or face strike action in the petroleum sector.

This comes as a third of Eskom’s workforce will down tools on Wednesday in a nationwide strike over wages — a move that may effect electricity output at the utility’s power plants.

BDlive reported that all members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at Eskom power stations across the country will go on strike‚ joining workers who went on strike at three power stations on Monday.

David Sipunzi‚ general secretary of the union‚ said that while they were concerned about the effect the strike would have as Eskom is a strategic entity‚ those managing the company were not taking the union seriously.

He said the NUM was in talks with Numsa over wage negotiations with the utility.

Numsa on Tuesday warned that it would be watching developments in Wednesday’s resumption of negotiations between the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu) and employers.

Numsa members in petrol filing stations across the country “have been having protracted negotiations with employers in the Motor Bargaining Council and being frustrated by employers who are refusing to make an offer that must settle this round of negotiations”‚ Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said.

“We have mediation resuming tomorrow‚” Jim said.

“If the bosses who represent garage employers fail to make an offer‚ Numsa will embark on a strike action in pursuit of our members’ demands and in full support of fuel refineries; so workers must remain strong and united‚ because united we stand divided we fall.”

– TMG Digital