Members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA) picketed in the parking lot and at the entrance to Eskom Camden Power Station last Thursday.
A memorandum of demands was submitted to acting station manager, Maserati Lesolang, that included a R1 000 housing allowance across the board and a R 1000 electricity benefit or subsidy.
According to Tshepo Selelo, Numsa chairman at Camden, the employees are tired of the way in which they are treated and demand a 12 per cent salary increase. Management was given two working days to respond to the demands.
“We generate electricity, yet we do not have some form of subsidy or benefit. Instead, the company subsidises other people in other areas. What about its employees?” Mr Selelo said.
He further lamented the fact that Eskom management designates them as essential services personnel, yet their remuneration does not reflect that.
Camden is also criticised for not properly executing the succession planning and pipelining where employees with potential are groomed. Instead, inexperienced people are brought in, must be taught the work by experienced workers and end up earning more than their mentors.
Numsa’s national leadership has given the power utility 48 hours to respond to their demands for a 12 percent wage increase over one year and a R1 000 housing allowance against the employer’s 5.6 per cent offer. If the demands are not met, Numsa promises to embark on a full-blown strike.
Numsa has also received support from other Cosatu unions and has threatened to plunge the country into darkness.
