Eskom has reached a two-year wage agreement with its recognised trade unions, ending this week’s strike by members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

NUM members downed tools at Eskom on Monday in response to a deadlock in wage negotiations, with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) threatening to do the same.

Eskom obtained an interdict form the Labour Court against the illegal strike action by NUM members.

The wage agreement was reached during talks facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) which stepped in to help resolve the dispute.

In terms of the two-year agreement, signed by NUM and Solidarity, Eskom employees will see a wage increase of between 8.5% and 10% this year and next year.

In addition, the housing allowance will also be increased by R260 per month this year, and a further R140 per month next year – bringing the total housing allowance to R3000 per month over the next two years.

Numsa is still considering the offer and Eskom is hopeful that they too will sign soon.

“The conclusion of this necessary chapter in our business environment enables us to now firmly focus on the task at hand of ensuring that we keep the lights on to enable growth,” Eskom said in a statement.