NUM POST NEC STATEMENT

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) held its ordinary and scheduled meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on the 25th and 26th April 2013 and pronounced on the following:

Centralized Bargaining Forum for Platinum

The NEC noted the developments with regard to the establishment of a platinum centralized bargaining forum and was highly concerned that the process is stalled by a single party and that the employers appear to lack commitment. The NEC condemned the contradictory postures of the employers in relation to the initial commitment displayed in the first round of centralized bargaining negotiations.

Job losses and collective bargaining

The National Executive Committee noted the number of companies that have issued section 189 notices and those that had made their intentions to retrench public in the wake of impending negotiations. Whilst the union appreciates the difficult economic conditions they may be faced with, these should not be used as an excuse or bargaining chip to award workers lower pay or threaten them with dismissals.

The NEC further condemned Sibanye Gold 's threat to retrench 3000 workers due to a fire whose responsibility lies squarely on the management of the company. Wage demands have been submitted in the construction sector, at Eskom and to various other mining companies. The union called for a review of wages and conditions of service for the Infrastructure Development Project due to the short- termism nature of the work.

Collective bargaining with the Chamber of Mines would begin in May and the NEC encouraged negotiators to ensure that delivery of the members mandates happen come rain or sunshine. Demands to the Chamber of Mines will be delivered two weeks from now and the NUM will demand a double digit pay increase as well as significant improvement in conditions of service. The NUM will in addition resist any attempts by the employers to take away any achievement of the past such as the issue of secondment of leaders to the union.

Peace Accord

The NEC called on stakeholders and signatories of the mining peace accord to put in place mechanisms of enforcement and sanctions in case of non- compliance with the accord.

Department of Mineral Resources

The NEC appealed to the Department of Mineral Resources to fast-track the evaluation of company compliance with the mining charter as well as to speed up the implementation of the Presidential Rapid Task Team on unlocking housing and accommodation challenges in mining towns.

Construction corruption

The NEC condemned the unethical behavior of construction companies especially on how they colluded with each other to milk the state. The NEC argued that this is pure corruption and should not be coded, but there should be consequences as corruption is corruption whether it is in the public or is in the private sector.

NUM Youth Forum

The NEC welcomed the establishment of the NUM Youth Forum which will be officially launched on the 9th and 10th of May. The NEC believe that the establishment of such a forum is an important milestone for the NUM and would take forward COSATU 's commitment towards the development of young workers.

Central Committee

The National Executive Committee considered a report on the preparations of the Central committee which will take place on the 23rd and 24th of May. The CC will be addressed by leaders of the tripartite alliance and would consider the organisational, political, economic and international matters affecting the union. Over 700 delegates from the branches will attend the Central Committee.

Silicosis case against Anglo American plc and health and safety of workers

The National Executive Committee fully threw its weight in support of the ongoing litigation over silicosis on Prichardt street. The case involves ten former President Steyn gold miners and are claiming more than one billion rands in compensation against Anglo American for failing to inform them of the possible dangers of contracting silicosis from silica dust whilst still employed in the 70s. This will be a test case that will definitely open the flood gates for thousands of miners who have been dumped to die at home whilst mining houses smiled all the way to the bank.

The NEC is generally perturbed at the increasing number of fatalities in the mining sector in particular as well as the construction and energy sectors in general. The NEC appealed to the Department of Labour in particular to be proactive and improve the capacity of the inspectorate to deal with the increasing number of fatalities in the construction sector.

Teachers dispute

The NEC noted the report on the ongoing dispute between the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and the Minister of Basic Education. Whilst the NEC urged the Parties to meet and resolve the impasse, it was however adamant that undermining collective bargaining is detrimental to sound labour relations and should be discouraged at all costs. The NEC reiterated the appeal made by the National Office Bearers earlier that the ruling party must intervene to resolve the impasse. The NUM is however fully behind SADTU in its struggle for the restoration of the integrity of collective bargaining.

COSATU

The National Executive Committee considered the progress update on various COSATU campaigns such as the E-tolling, labour brokering, living wage campaign and the listening campaign.

The NEC further noted the public spats that are currently ongoing with regard to COSATU and urged all affiliates to act with calm and safeguard the integrity of the federation. The NEC urged the leadership of the union to raise sharply the issue of public posturing and the unwillingness by some to raise issues within structures at the next Central Executive Committee of the federation and to do everything possible in defending COSATU.

May day

The leadership of the NUM has been criss-crossing the country to talk to ordinary members of the union as part of COSATU 's accountability and listening campaign. The NUM has been heartened to listen to the responses of its members and would implement a program of action to implement some of the propositions brought by members.
Thousands of NUM members have been mobilized to attend the coming May day rallies, on the 1st of May. The NEC further made an appeal to all members to attend the May day rally as a show of force.

Rape crisis

The NEC discussed at length the rape crisis facing the country and was highly concerned by the deepening crisis as well as the long period it takes for such matters to be concluded by the courts. The NEC appealed for stringent legislation to curb the malady and to improve the efficiency of the justice system.

Issued by Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary, April 28 2013

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