Eskom workers are threatening to throw the country into darkness by going on strike in July.
The power utility's biggest trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers (Num), is demanding a 16 percent wage increase in 2011.
Num represents well over 11 000 Eskom workers.
On the eve of the 2010 World Cup, workers threatened similar strike action, but unions and bosses came to a swift agreement, avoiding any likely power cuts during the tournament.
The union's Lesiba Seshoka said he doubts any agreement will be reached.
"We do not foresee a possible wage agreement being reached very quickly... because even last year when they acceded to the nine percent, it was precisely because we had threatened to go on strike before the World Cup," he said.
Eskom's Hilary Joffe declined to say anything other than that they have received the list of demands.
"We have received demands from all of the unions that represent Eskom workers and the negotiations will take their usual course," she said.
Seshoka said Eskom may not give in to wage demands as easily this time.
"They actually entered on that agreement on the last day just a day before we went on a strike action because of the World Cup. So, we have no World Cup this year, they will be delaying and doing all sort of things..."
However, he added, "...we will give them the benefit of the doubt".
One of ESKOM power plant
The power utility's biggest trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers (Num), is demanding a 16 percent wage increase in 2011.
Num represents well over 11 000 Eskom workers.
On the eve of the 2010 World Cup, workers threatened similar strike action, but unions and bosses came to a swift agreement, avoiding any likely power cuts during the tournament.
The union's Lesiba Seshoka said he doubts any agreement will be reached.
"We do not foresee a possible wage agreement being reached very quickly... because even last year when they acceded to the nine percent, it was precisely because we had threatened to go on strike before the World Cup," he said.
Eskom's Hilary Joffe declined to say anything other than that they have received the list of demands.
"We have received demands from all of the unions that represent Eskom workers and the negotiations will take their usual course," she said.
Seshoka said Eskom may not give in to wage demands as easily this time.
"They actually entered on that agreement on the last day just a day before we went on a strike action because of the World Cup. So, we have no World Cup this year, they will be delaying and doing all sort of things..."
However, he added, "...we will give them the benefit of the doubt".
One of ESKOM power plant
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