 Escom strike looms over pay increases. Johannesburg, some Escom employees could go on strike. Trade unions, the National Union of Mines, Number, and National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa, NUMSA, will reveal on Tuesday if the one-day industrial action will go ahead. The unions have agreed to a series of steps, including mass pickets on Thursday, to force Escom to hike its salary increase offer of 0%. A strike will be called as a last resort. Among unions' demands is a 15% pay hike. Numbers Live Oguani Mambrou says, I am not allowed to say much but I can confirm we've met to discuss the way forward and a joint program of action. The power utility has been focused on financial sustainability and says no one in the company is receiving increases this year, as it tries to turn the company around. Employees may still be eligible for bonuses, but this does not include top management. Escom appointed a new board of directors in January to resolve a leadership crisis. New President Cyril Ramaphosa in February appointed former Finance Minister Praveen Gordhan as Public Enterprises Minister, in charge of state companies, such as Escom. The power company was at the heart of corruption scandals surrounding ousted President Jacob Zuma and is regularly cited by ratings agencies as a threat to the country's credit-worthiness. Zuma has denied any wrongdoing.