Eskom workers want 18%, mull strike

Mila

Mila

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http://www.fin24.com/Business/Eskom-workers-want-18-mull-strike-20100519

So I guess this is the next one.

Johannesburg – National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) started a shop stewards meeting on Wednesday morning to "map out a way forward" regarding a steep wage demand put to their employer Eskom.

This comes as the wage demand season has opened in the country, often ending up in strike action.

The NUM is demanding an 18% wage increase in the current financial year.

It claims to represent over 10 000 workers at Eskom.

The union said its demands are reasonable, despite the economy remaining weak.

The Reserve Bank has also warned against too steep wage demands and their implications on inflation.

"Eskom has not been forthcoming. They're going to use their financial status again this year not to compensate workers," said Shane Choshane NUM spokesperson.

"Last year Eskom said to us they could not pay us housing allowances and other benefits because of their financial situation. But senior management are however enjoying those benefits," remarked Choshane.

The union will give an update on Wednesday afternoon.
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This comes as the wage demand season has opened in the country, often ending up in strike action.
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Ah, so it seems they've finally noticed that there's a pattern here: Union demands wage increase, increase is denied, strike occurs, everything gets trashed like a 3-year-old's temper tantrum, increase is granted, rinse and repeat.

It's worked every year so far, why would it ever stop? :)

Oh, and we do have such lovely protests.
 
Lycanthrope said:
Ah, so it seems they've finally noticed that there's a pattern here: Union demands wage increase, increase is denied, strike occurs, everything gets trashed like a 3-year-old's temper tantrum, increase is granted, rinse and repeat.

It's worked every year so far, why would it ever stop? :)

Oh, and we do have such lovely protests.
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Every year we talk but nothing happens Lets start a IT union. I want to strike too.
 
We made a big mistake showing the strikers they have power. Once you let them get their way once you are in kuk.

Fire them all and move on, the time has come to stop being held ransom i reckon. Maybe set off a car bomb when they march, would send a clear a message. They will burn and destroy shyte anyhow so take em along for the ride :D.
 
The ANC used the unions during Apartheid, and the unions learned well. Now the dog is turning on its master ...
Ironic, isn't it?
 
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Surprising number of strikes this year. Monkey see monkey do :) Makes sense to want more money if others strike and get it but unfortunatley they don't understand that money does not fall out the neverending piggy bank
 
18% .. damn that's high.
the wekkas they want their share of the demanded 45% x 45% x 45%!!!
 
millennia said:
unions should be banned :/
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No, they have a place to empower the working class. When you're making 2K a month and they will only increase it by 3% (R60) then there is reason to be unhappy. But if the strike becomes violent and destruction happens, all costs should come off the union bosses salaries.

But demanding 18% - what are they thinking? I dont see Eskom giving in to more than 12% (if even that!)
 
eltherza said:
No, they have a place to empower the working class. When you're making 2K a month and they will only increase it by 3% (R60) then there is reason to be unhappy. But if the strike becomes violent and destruction happens, all costs should come off the union bosses salaries.

But demanding 18% - what are they thinking? I dont see Eskom giving in to more than 12% (if even that!)
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Good post
 
well.. their living cost is increasing .. see what i mean about the never ending circle of cost in SA.. it always comes back to bite
 
eltherza said:
No, they have a place to empower the working class. When you're making 2K a month and they will only increase it by 3% (R60) then there is reason to be unhappy. But if the strike becomes violent and destruction happens, all costs should come off the union bosses salaries.

But demanding 18% - what are they thinking? I dont see Eskom giving in to more than 12% (if even that!)
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18%? Out of a company that is already running at a loss? Can't see it happening.

Unions make absurd demands knowing that it will go to strikes at the end of the day. Whats that saying about any publicity being good publicity?
 
Judging by the OP, they are demanding 18% because they did not get one last year?

"Last year Eskom said to us they could not pay us housing allowances and other benefits because of their financial situation. But senior management are however enjoying those benefits," said Choshane.
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I think people should realise that last year most people did not receive increases, and thus the mid to high teens rates demanded now, IMO are justified. Most companies, cut costs and jobs last year, thus putting strain on the workforce left behind, now we have a case where most companies have returned to good earnings and sound financial health, so its time to pay up I say.

Where I work, increases were in the region of 20%, becuase of the scarecity of skills...
 
sox63 said:
I think people should realise that last year most people did not receive increases, and thus the mid to high teens rates demanded now, IMO are justified.
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But lets be reasonable about this. 10 000 claimed employees want 18% increase. If each one gets paid ave of R 3000, that's R30,000,000 a month into salaries. 18% of that is R5,400,000 extra a MONTH. Thats an extra 64 Million a year (at least) into salaries into a company already asking for bailouts.

That's a big ask right now. A better idea would be about 8% increase, and throw some benefits for employees such as an extra day leave a year. We really can't afford eskom leveraging this as an excuse for more increases.
 
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