NUM stands firm on Eskom wage demands

Engineering News reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Tuesday reiterated its demands for double-digit wage and housing increases at Eskom, as the decision on a wage dispute neared.  The union has been engaged in a wage dispute with Eskom since July and the results of an arbitration process, which concluded in November, are expected late in January.  "The delay has deprived our members of an opportunity to receive their salary adjustment at the time when they desperately needed enough funds to cater for their families, including preparations for school reopening," NUM acting energy sector coordinator Ndlela Radebe said in a statement.  Dismissing Eskom's 5.6% wage hike offer and pointing out that the utility's half-year profit reached R12.2bn, NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said the power utility should be "able to adjust to the 8% tariff increase granted by Nersa without disrupting the livelihood of its employees".