IOL Business reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has opened wage negotiations with Eskom with a demand for a 15% salary increase for its members.
Other demands reportedly include a monthly housing allowance of R7,000 and that the power utility cover 80% of employees’ medical aid contributions. NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mamburu said on Tuesday: “The National Union of Mineworkers is firm on its demand for a 15% wage increase for Eskom employees. A figure justified by the high cost of living, we stand in solidarity with other unions that are organising at Eskom in demanding that negotiations remain within the central bargaining forum."
He added that the union was closely monitoring Eskom’s unbundling into three separate divisions, warning that the move could complicate negotiations by weakening collective bargaining and fragmenting union representation. "Eskom and government must understand that the unbundling of Eskom must not be used to abandon workers’ unity and collective bargaining rights, as members prefer to negotiate in the central bargaining forum,” Mamburu indicated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mthobisi Nozulela at IOL Business
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