National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) yesterday put more pressure on Eskom demanding a 12% wage increase and better working conditions from the state entity.
NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said the Union wants a salary increase across the board for all its members; R1 000 housing allowance per month and a removal of Eskom’s Board of Directors.
He said Eskom’s board has failed to lead and instead of sitting down and talking to its employees, they marched over to the courts for the solution.
“Yes they have gone to court but, instead of a solution that will be beneficial to all, they are stuck with the judgment to boast about,” said Baleni.
He said workers are continually being treated like slaves and that shows scant regard for human rights and principles of Ubuntu.
“For over seven years, NUM has been engaging the Parastatal on the minimum service agreement which has unfortunately born no fruits to date and its time we as the Union and workers unfolded arms and fought to the bitter end. This is a course for which we are prepared to die,” said Baleni.
In the memorandum, workers demand amongst others; the ban on Eskom workers to have their services rendered “essential service”; Eskom executive members to step down; R1 000 housing allowance; an independent audit of the benefits of senior managers in Eskom, particularly the incentive bonus of 25% and Eskom to withdraw the convention of the Pension Fund, and the Board to provide an independent audit of the state of the Pension Fund.
While the memorandum was being read out loud, about 400 NUM supporters were singing, blowing vuvuzelas and whistling outside Eskom’s head offices.
The memorandum was received by Eskom’s Divisional Executive of Transmission Mongezi Ntsokolo who promised that he will consult with other executive members and have the response ready within 48 hours.
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