Johannesburg — THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said yesterday that its members would go on a strike next week over Eskom's failure to meet workers' demand for a 9% wage increase and a housing allowance of R4000 a month.

The decision was taken despite the possibility that industrial action may be illegal.

If the strike goes ahead there is also the threat of power supply disruptions during the final week of the Soccer World Cup.

"They've taken a decision to go on strike. They will mobilise and go on strike from next week," NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said last night.

"I don't know what to say about that. What I can say is that the council has voted to take this decision and will cross that bridge when they come to that. On any other issue, whether it is legal matters, they will cross that bridge when they come to it."

The decision to strike was taken by NUM's shop stewards council.

Eskom human resources MD Bhabhalazi Bulunga said last night the public utility was waiting for formal communication from NUM and was still holding out hope of meeting the union today.

Eskom would continue to seek dialogue while trying to prevent a strike.

"There are many options we can do. We can go to court again for an interdict. We will continue to talk to them," he said.

"We will talk to the highest leadership in the (Eskom) board. We will go to the chairman of the board. We talk to the minister (of public enterprises)."

If the NUM did strike, Mr Bulunga said Eskom would be prepared. "We will take measures to ensure the security of the supply," he said.

The decision to strike came after Eskom offered to move its wage offer from 8% to 8,5% plus a housing allowance of R1000 a month.

Unions had been insisting on a 9% increase and a R2500 housing allowance. Mr Seshoka said the NUM would have compromised on the wage increase if management had acceded to their housing allowance demand. "They've rejected the 8,5% and the R1000 housing allowances. If you want 8,5% then the housing allowance has to be R2500."

The NUM is the largest trade union at Eskom, and represents 16 000 of its 35 000 workers.

Other trade unions involved in the wage dispute were Solidarity, which represents 8000 workers, and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), which represents 5000 workers.

Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans refused to talk about the new proposed offer.

"I cannot communicate about something that is not formal ... what I can say is that we will discuss Eskom's proposal today with our members," he said.

Numsa's spokesman, Castro Ngobese, said his union would also meet its members today but was not convinced that they would accept the 8,5% increase.

"It is still an insult to our members but we will allow them to guide us. I personally believe that Eskom can offer a reasonable offer," Mr Ngobese said.

Last week the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration awarded a certificate of nonresolution in favour of the trade unions.

With Sapa