Eskom workers allegedly hijack coal truck, intimidate staff
Eskom says it has received multiple reports of acts of intimidation by disgruntled workers.
Disgruntled workers at the power utility have started mobilising.
Eskom has confirmed that it received multiple reports of intimidation at various power stations on Monday morning.
A truck transporting coal to the Duvha power station in Mpumalanga was hijacked and its contents strewn at the main entrance of the power station.
Operations at the Majuba power station have also been affected.
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Police were deployed to the areas.
According to spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe, management received reports that disgruntled workers are set to meet on Monday afternoon.
“We are also getting reports from various power stations that are several meetings that are called for some time before lunch. We don’t know what the meetings are about.”
Its understood that their conduct relate to Eskom’s assertion that it won’t pay workers performance bonuses.
ALSO READ: Eskom to unions: Keep the bonus issue a separate matter
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) issued a stern warning at the weekend, saying that it will not take responsibility for the workers’ behaviour as the wage negotiations drag on.
The issue of bonuses has been a bone of contention with Numsa’s Irvin Jim saying workers are growing "restless".
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“We have not reached an agreement with the unions on the payment of the bonuses, and they have indicated through their leadership – that if there is no bonus, there is no Megawatt Park. We don’t know if this is part of that strategy,” says Phasiwe.