Eskom wage talks: NUMSA not backing down on 8% demand
The wage standoff between the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and Eskom has intensified, with the union firmly rejecting the utility’s 7% offer and insisting on an 8% increase.
At a media briefing, which was held at the Vincent Mabuyakhulu Conference Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday, NUMSA general secretary Irvin Jim said the union viewed Eskom’s current offer as not only inadequate, but fundamentally unfair.
“We're going public in rejecting the current offer on the table, which NUMSA regards as a sham and openly undermining the collective bargaining process.”
Numsa’s stance is rooted in what it describes as a disconnect between Eskom’s financial recovery and its treatment of workers.
While the power utility reported improved financial performance in recent years, the union argued that workers were not seeing the benefits.
Numsa said it found this intransigent position adopted by Eskom as provocative, as the utility's budget indicated that they had budgeted for a 9% increase for salaries for bargaining unit workers, which was in line with what the union has been demanding.
“In essence, if Eskom were to give the increase according to their budget, Eskom workers should be getting 9% in the first year. NUMSA is extremely dismayed by this unfair position adopted by Eskom against workers.”
The union wants an 8% increase in the first year, followed by 7% in the next two years, along with a R10,000 after-tax lump sum.
According to Jim, this was already a compromise from earlier, higher demands.
ESKOM'S WAGE 'DOUBLE STANDARDS' - NUMSA
The union alleges that while workers were being asked to accept modest increases, senior executives have received dramatically higher pay hikes.
“This is despite having paid exorbitant salary increases and bonuses for its senior executives. NUMSA is disgusted and rejects this attitude as we firmly believe that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Jim pointed to internal budget disclosures and past acknowledgements by Eskom leadership that workers played a key role in stabilising operations.
“If management acknowledges that the operational and financial stability that has been achieved by Eskom over the past two years was at the back of the hard work performed by bargaining unit workers of Eskom, then Eskom must explain why it cannot give workers a meaningful increase that reflects this remarkable turnaround that has been achieved.”
While other unions could still consider Eskom’s offer, Numsa has taken a firm stance and is mobilising its members independently.
“Numsa will not be part of any signing ceremony without workers getting their 8%, which they deserve," Jim concluded.
ALSO READ:
