NUM3.png
29 September 2013 NUM post-NEC statement The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) met over two days, 26-27 September 2013 in what was a regular and scheduled meeting and pronounced on the following: 1. Collective Bargaining The National Executive Committee commended the work done by negotiating teams during this year's wage negotiations with the Chamber of Mines, the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) , Petra diamonds, De Beers and with all the companies that completed negotiations. The NEC in particular commended the conduct of the members during the gold sector strike action. "The NEC is of the view that our members conduct during the industrial action was exemplary and called on the general membership and other unions to emulate the gold miners" says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary. The NEC further commended the successes scored by the union in achieving the above-inflation wage increases. The National Executive Committee appealed on electricity parastatal Eskom to negotiate in good spirit and ensure that workers are not punished by the prolonged process of negotiations. The NEC called on Vametco, a mining company outside Brits where workers have been on strike for four weeks to accede to their demands. 2. Retrenchments The NEC condemned Angloplatinum's insincerity in its application of the section 189 process and for reneging on agreed terms and urged the union's lawyers to leave no stone unturned. The legal case on retrenchments will be heard on Tuesday, 1 October at the Labour court in Johannesburg. The Committee condemned in the strongest words possible the behaviour and attitudes of mining companies such as Sibanye Gold, Buffelsfontein, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Goldfields and Harmony for being advocates of a jobs bloodbath by pushing for retrenchments at all costs. 3. Health and Safety The Executive Committee commended the improvements and progress in safety and health in the mining sector and urged all parties to continue to work towards the achievement of the zero fatality targets. The NEC was however highly perturbed by the growing number of fatalities in the construction sector and appealed to the Department of Labour to increase the capacity of its inspectorate to deal with errant companies. 4. ESOP The NEC has noted with serious concern the failing number of Employee Share Ownership Programmes in the mining sector and appealed for parties to convene an urgent indaba to review the ESOP concept. Many of the ESOPs mooted by the industry have generally become a liability for the workers. 5. E-Tolls The NEC noted with disappointment the signing of the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill by President Jacob Zuma which clears the path for the implementation of e-tolling. The NUM remains opposed to the E-tolls and would beef up and mount the anti-tolls campaign across the country. 6. COSATU The NEC received a report on both the COSATU special CEC and the Central Executive Committee that followed. The NEC respects the internal processes of the federation. And as a disciplined affiliate of COSATU it shall follow and implement all the decision of the federation and will never be selective.. The NEC appealed to the union structures to stamp out acts of ill-discipline wherever they emerge in particular in relation to undermining decisions of higher structures. 7. Compensation Matters 7.1 Anglo American Corporation settlement The NEC noted the settlement on the silicosis court case by Anglo American plc. The NEC is however perturbed by the low settlement amount put forward by Anglo and is of the view that such amount would not adequately cover the high medical cost facing the miners. 7.2 Victims of the Arthur Brown saga The NEC registered its disappointment at the prolonged period taken by the Fidentia Curators in ensuring that victims of the Arthur Brown saga get their long awaited compensation. The NEC appeals for all outstanding compensation to be paid to workers and that companies should avoid waiting for litigation before they can act. 8. ANC and the elections The NEC reiterated its support for the African National Congress (ANC) in the coming elections and appealed on the rank and file to defend the gain made by the ruling party. 9. International 9.1 Nairobi attacks The NEC registered its anger and disappointment at the recent attacks that took place at the Westgate Mall in Kenya and appealed on the law enforcement agencies to crack down on those responsible and bring them to book. The NEC passed its words of condolences to the peace-loving people of Kenya. 9.2 Swaziland The NEC registered its disgust at what the Swaziland Monarch termed monarchical democracy through which democracy is continuously stolen from the masses of the people of Swaziland. "We appeal to the South African government and the general population to lend a hand in freeing Swaziland of what is Africa's last despot" says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary. Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary, 082 375 6443 Lesiba Seshoka, NUM Spokesman, 082 803 6719 -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
<<image001.jpg>>
