NUM NEC pronouncements
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) met over two days, the 21st and 22nd July to ponder on a number of issues involving and affecting the union. The NEC is highly perturbed and concerned about the following:
1. Collective Bargaining
The reluctance of companies to accede to the reasonable demands put forward by members in the various sectors in which the NUM is organized. The National Executive Committee threw its weight behind the strike action at De Beers and the impending one at the Collieries. The NEC cautioned the employers in the gold, platinum and Eskom to move speedily to avert strike action and recommitted the NUM to finding peaceful resolution to the dispute. "The NUM is committed to negotiations and our doors remain open to any further discussions.
We however are not prepared to be made to dance on one spot for ages with no movements" says Frans Baleni , the NUM General Secretary. Worker inflation is currently more than the average CPI of 5%. The average CEO salary in the mining sector is 16 million rands per annum whilst the salaries in the mining sector per race reveals that black workers are the least paid.
In addition, the minimum salary for miners in the industry is far less than the living wage as per our members expectations and the living wage led by COSATU. It is on that basis that the NUM is not prepared to settle on any of the proposals put forward by employers.
The NEC further appealed to gold employers not to fall in the same trap as their coal counterpart when they meet the union on Monday at the CCMA.
The National Executive Committee appealed to our members to conduct peaceful protests and to alienate criminal elements that may want to use the strikes as vehicles to achieve evil ends.
2. Mine deaths
The NEC is disappointed by the ever-increasing figures of fatalities in the mining industry. The figures stand at over 70. The NEC further reiterated its support for protest marches throughout South Africa over lack of safety and applauded the three regions of PWV, Matlosana and Rustenburg for having taken the lead with the marches. The NEC endorsed the marches planned for Carletonville over the past weekend and all the remaining marches scheduled by the regions.
The National Executive Committee further lamented the lack of capacity in the Department of Mineral Resources inspectorate when it comes to compliance. The NUM strongly feels that the focus should be more on pro-active prevention than just being reactionary after miners have died. The NUM will hold its day of mourning on the 4th October.
3. Cosatu Central Committee
The NEC in its assessment of the COSATU Central Committee felt that the CC was largely successful and congratulated the federation for that. The NUM looks forward to further engagements on the matters that were referred to the Central Executive Committee.
4. On so-called "reshuffle" and "pending arrests"
The National Executive Committee expressed serious concern on the much publicized so called arrests of leaders in Kwazulu-Natal as well as rumours of a reshuffle and deployment. The NUM believes that the state has a role to clear the air and avoid confusion. The NUM hopes that if the rumours of a deployment of a Director General in the Department of Mineral Resources are true, it will be consulted as that falls within its area of operation.
5. On the ANC, SACP and Madiba anniversaries
The National Executive Committee wished the ANC a very happy and successful centenary as it celebrates its 100 years of existence and further congratulated the SACP on its 90th anniversary.
The National Union of Mineworkers which turns 30 years next year fully supports its allies in the fight for the emancipation of the disenfranchised majority.
The NEC further appealed to mineworkers in particular and society in general to uphold the values that Nelson Mandela stood for in his honour and that we should not limit that to 67 minutes on his birthday.
6. On South Sudan and Libya
The NEC congratulated both President Jacob Zuma and former President Thabo Mbeki on the role they played on the birth of the new African state of South Sudan and the manner they handled the transition averting serious bloodbath.
The NEC further deplored the manner in which the international forces continued to bombard and destroy Libya in pursuit of unlimited access to Libyan oil and resources. The NUM fully supports the African Union (AU)'s efforts in Libya .
Statement issued by Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary, July 25 2011
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