THE mine and metal workers’ unions Numsa and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have rejected Eskom’s 1.5-percent wage increase offer.
The power utility says its 1.5% salary hike offer was due to financial challenges that continue to affect the company. The unions are instead demanding a 15-percent increase.
Numsa and NUM briefed the media about their discussions with the embattled power utility on Thursday.
“The offer of 1.5% which Eskom is proposing as an increase,” said NUMSA’s General Secretary Irvin Jim.
“Eskom is clearly a section189 restructuring under the guise of wage talks. The offer is conditional upon workers accepting changes to their benefits and conditions. We reject it!”
“Eskom management has the audacity to give a lucrative 49% increase to Seriti and South32, whilst arrogantly giving poor workers a non-existent offer of 1.5%, a position NUMSA and NUM reject with contempt!”
The NUMSA said their members will not entertain any offer below the consumer price inflation, currently sitting at 3.2%.
Management made the offer on condition that unions agree to forego leave and other benefits, which Eskom workers have enjoyed for many years.
The talks were suspended two weeks ago after unions demanded that Eskom CEO, Andre De Ruyter come and present the company’s turnaround strategy to them.
Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said the company’s offer was due to its financial circumstances.
“Eskom has been making losses and is reliant on the taxpayer for funding…so the offer is dependent on the workers excepting some changes in the conditions of service,” he said.
- Inside Politics
