Eskom reaches three-year wage agreement with unions

Power utility Eskom has concluded its 2026 wage negotiations within the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF), finalising a three-year agreement with the majority of organised labour. The utility said the agreement follows the signing of a collective wage deal by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Solidarity, which together represent more than 75% of employees in the bargaining unit. The agreement is binding on all employees, including those affiliated with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), which did not sign and has declared a deadlock.

Eskom said the deal provides for a 7% annual salary increase and will run for three years from July 1, 2026. The utility said maintaining a multi-year framework creates a more predictable environment and reduces the volatility associated with annual wage negotiations. It added that the approach supports cost predictability and operational stability, which are key to sustaining recent improvements in system performance.

Eskom group chief executive Dan Marokane said the conclusion of the wage process was a significant milestone. “The conclusion of the wage process represents an important procedural milestone. It provides Eskom with the stability and predictability required to focus fully on delivering our business objectives and fulfilling our mandate to South Africa,” he said.

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Marokane added that the agreement would allow employees to focus on performance and service delivery, while also helping the organisation attract and retain skills. Eskom chief people officer Dr. Candice Hartley said the agreement reinforced the utility’s focus on cost discipline.

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