NUM strike – Eskom has enough coal for 30 days

This as more than 30 000 National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members from the coal sector downed tools from the 4 October.

“We have coal stockpiles of over 30 days at most of our power stations, and we thus do not anticipate that the strike will have an impact on our ability to generate electricity at this stage,” read a statement from Eskom.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) has issued a certificate of non-resolution as the union and coal mining companies could not reach an agreement over the union’s demand of a R1 000 salary increase for the lowest paid workers, and 14 percent salary increase for artisans, miners and officials.

According to the union’s statement, the coal mining companies responded as follows:

•  Anglo Coal and Glencore are offering the lowest paid workers an increment of 8.5 percent, and for the artisans, miners and officials, 7 percent
•  Exxaro Coal Mpumalanga is offering 8 percent for the lowest category, and 7.5 percent for the artisans, miners and officials
•  Kangra is offering 7.5 percent for the lowest category, and 7 percent for the artisans, miners and officials
•  Koornfontein mine and Delmas are offering 5 percent for all categories
•  Msobo Mine is offering 7 percent for the lowest category and 5 percent for artisans, miners and officials.

Acting NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said the strike would continue until their issues with the chamber of mines were resolved.

“The strike was a last resort, it was not our intention to hurt the companies and production,” he said.

“We were hoping that the CCMA would resolve the dispute, but the negotiations broke down. In the end, workers want decent living wages.”

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