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Business Report writes that Eskom’s intention to cut 7,000 jobs through natural attrition will bring it perilously in contact with a live wire as affiliated trade unions threaten to short-circuit its operations with running strike action.
The job bombshell also comes at a tense time during protracted wage negotiations with unions. Eskom senior manager Marion Hughes’s announcement this week that the power utility intended to reduce the headcount from 48,678 to 41,613 by 2023 across all levels through normal attrition has sent the wrong buzz to unions. A spokesperson confirmed that Hughes was referring to natural attrition and that there were no plans to retrench staff. “We call upon all workers in the country to unite and embark on a mammoth battle against this cancer. We will resist any attempt by Eskom to retrench 7,000 workers who are currently facing dire economic conditions,” said Paris Mashego of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Solidarity’s Tommy Wedderspoon said they had been informed by Eskom of the intention to reduce the number of employees through natural attrition, which was “better than a situation where people lose their jobs via retrenchments.” Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: “Eskom has not communicated this message in the proper structure, which is the strategic forum. It is outrageous that we are hearing through the media that this is what they intend to do.” Numsa treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo stated: “As Numsa, we will use all the necessary methods to defend our members. We don’t believe this thing can be addressed by retrenching workers.”
- Read this report by Luyolo Mkentane in full at Business Report
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