NUM is unhappy with Eskom executives awarding themselves millions of bonuses

NUM Press Statement, 27 June 2016

NUM is unhappy with Eskom executives awarding themselves millions of bonuses

The National union of Mineworkers (NUM) is extremely disappointed and saddened by the decision taken by Eskom executives to pay themselves a whopping R6 million per person from the bonus pool of 1.7 billion. Eskom executives deliberately leaked the document to employees to entice on the bonus payout in trying to weaken the NUM during its consultation with the members.

In the meeting yesterday with the Eskom's Group Executive of Human Resources, Ms. Elsie Pule stated that: “ black female employees in Eskom are poor performers as such they deserve below minimum salary increases”.

The NUM feels that Ms. Elsie Pule has insulted black female employees who perform three times higher to receive recognition and acceptance in the patriarchal workplace. We canvass the NUM women structure and all progressive women organisations to fight against this blatant discriminatory practices 22 years into our democracy.

We call upon Eskom to:
• To secure the services of a Private investigator to investigate the leaking of the bonus pool document
• Eskom must refrain from union-bashing tactics
• Compensate our members in terms of their contribution to the profitability of ESKOM.

The NUM will convene a National Shop Steward Council on the 1st of July 2016, wherein a decision will be taken on the conduct of the Eskom executive. The wage negotiations and the performance bonuses will also be interrogated and the NUM will get the mandate from its members of whether they are accepting or rejecting the offer. The fourth round of wage negotiations will be held on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of July 2016 at CedarWoods in Woodmead.

The NUM is extremely disturbed by the comments made by the Eskom's spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe who said the 7% wage increase tabled by Eskom will lead to deeper costs cuts. Eskom is not cash-strapped. It is
profitable. Evidence of financial stability could be derived from Eskom advance payment of R578 million to Tegeta a Gupta family-controlled company supplying the utility’s Arnot coal-fired facility in Mpumalanga.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Paris Mashego: NUM Energy Sector Coordinator: 079 517 1758
Livhuwani Mammburu: NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167