Eskom workers down tools at several power stations – union source

Workers at several power stations operated by Eskom have downed tools after an impasse over wages, a union source told Reuters on Monday.

Cash-strapped Eskom, which provides virtually all of South Africa’s power, angered unions in June when it said it could not afford pay increases. That triggered protests which led to a spate of controlled blackouts in Africa’s most industrialised economy.

The company is currently locked in wage negotiations with the unions.