NUM negotiating team condemns the misleading statement by Eskom spokesperson

10 May 2021

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is saddened and highly shocked by the misleading statement authored by Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha which indicates that the average salary of an Eskom employee is R737 000.

This amount is not a true reflection of the situation in Eskom. Eskom is divided into a bargaining unit (T4 to T13) and the non-bargaining unit (T14 to Executives).

The NUM and other trade unions in Eskom are currently bargaining for the T4 to T13. The highest amount that can be earned by a bargaining unit employee is R650 460 while the lowest salary is R174 180. Eskom is intentionally misleading the public to gain public sympathy.

We have noticed this thread of misleading information from Eskom. This is a clear sign of negotiating in bad faith. If the average salary is at R737 000 that will only mean that the non-bargaining is earning a lot of money which pushes the average up.

We must also acknowledge that not everyone at the non-bargaining is earning a lot of money. Most of the black professionals are earning less than their white counterparts due to the apartheid wage gap that is still in existence in Eskom. We are calling for Eskom to immediately close the apartheid wage gap in all categories.

As we indicated before our negotiating team is highly determined to execute the mandate given to them by members. The team has been mandated to go all out and negotiate for good wages and the team would not back down on representing workers demand for a 15% wage increase. The NUM believes that those demands are reasonable and very much achievable. We maintain that there is money in Eskom and the money is being used to fund corrupt activities. That money is the labour of our members and our members deserve a reasonable share.

Issued by William Mabapa, NUM Acting General Secretary, 10 May 2021