NATIONAL Union of Mineworkers members at Eskom want to cash in on the power utility's tariff boost.

The union rejected Eskom's "final offer" of 8 percent in the current wage negotiations.

Initially, NUM tabled a 15percent demand, which it later reduced to 14percent, "whilst the power utility refused to budge", the union said yesterday.

NUM, together with Solidarity and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA, has asked the power utility to provide information on the wage bill for both the bargaining unit employees and top management bands, the new proposed structure, and the impact of the R60000 housing allowance offered to professional management staff.

NUM negotiator at Eskom Paris Mashego said: "Workers need the 14percent to be able to afford the exorbitant price of electricity.

"You cannot get a tariff increment of 31,33percent and refuse workers an increment that should enable them to afford your high prices."

Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said: "Eskom takes note of NUM's position, and we still believe that the process will be resolved constructively in due course."