Talks to prevent strike that could affect World Cup adjourned, to resume Saturday

Talks to prevent S.African power strike adjourned

JOHANNESBURG, — A major trade union in South Africa says last ditch talks to prevent a strike by employees of the country’s power monopoly have adjourned without a solution.

The pending strike by the 30,000 workers could affect the power supply to the World Cup stadiums, which will rely only on generators.

The National Union of Mineworkers said Friday the power company, Eskom, invited all three unions to an urgent meeting to find a solution to their labor dispute. The unions are threatening the strike to pursue their demands for a 9 percent wage increase and a housing allowance for all employees. Eskom is offering 8.5 percent and a housing allowance only for the lowest wage earners.

The negotiations will resume Saturday.