NUM condemns Eskom's behaviour after it served its employees with a court interdict

NUM Press Statement, 29 June 2014

NUM condemns Eskom's behaviour after it served its employees with a court interdict

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is disgusted and outraged with Eskom management after it obtained an urgent court interdict yesterday to stop its employees from embarking on an industrial action because of Eskom being declared an essential service.

The interdict stops employees who are not on duty and those who are not in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity from embarking on a march or strike.

It is our view as the NUM that the court is wrong in granting Eskom a court interdict to interdict helpless workers particularly those who are not at work. With this approach, it could also mean that even a retired Eskom employee remains an essential.

The NUM is extremely disgusted with the arrogant behaviour of Eskom Management who thinks that Eskom workers are their private property. We urge all our members to refuse to be silenced by this arrogant management. We reiterate our call for the Board of Eskom to resign, they have failed to provide leadership hence we are in this mess.

"NUM is again disgusted by Eskom's persistent enslaving of its employees, particularly those who are in the Bargaining Unit. Instead of addressing their genuine concerns pertaining to reasonable and affordable demands which Eskom blatantly refuse to consider, the employer has resorted to managing its employees through court interdicts, which they fallaciously believe will intimidate workers and force them to surrender their fight for a living wage and dignified conditions of employment. We are warning Eskom to stop continuing with this unnecessary confrontation and provocative attitude. This uncalled-for behaviour will only worsen the anger of the workers who feel that time has come for them to break the chains of bondage from this forever ruthless employer," said Ndlela Radebe, NUM Acting ENERGY Sector Coordinator.

The NUM will today meet Eskom at the CCMA where we expect the employer to demonstrate the usual attitude of just showing up at this institution just for a mere formality. It is unfortunate as well that the same CCMA we are seeking intervention from has lost credibility in the eyes of workers who now feel helpless and powerless. The CCMA has now of late just became another extended arm of the employer.

For more information, please contact:

Helen Diatile: 082 809 3270: NUM Eskom Chief Negotiator
Ndlela Radebe: 082 933 7610 or 071 871 5859: NUM Acting Energy Sector Coordinator
Frans Baleni: 082 375 6443: NUM General Secretary
Livhuwani Mammburu: 083 809 3257 :Acting NUM National Spokesperson

The National Union of Mineworkers
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