NUM, NUMSA Reject Eskom’s 1.5% Wage Increase Offer

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!”