Phone: +27 (0) 830 123 543 Email: info@num.org.za Website: www.num.org.za
Members first
Phone: +27 (0) 11 377 2198/9 Email: tphoko@num.org.za Website: www.num.org.za
BACKGROUND
The NEC of NUM met on the 17-18 September 2015 at EBMTC Midrand Campus.The NEC focused on an array of issues which were political, economic, and about governance within unions and in society.Most importantly the wage negotiations process and retrenchments. The overarching view has been to strengthen NUM internally and externally in the midst of the challenges including identifying opportunities.
Attacks on the State Furthermore, the NEC noted the observation made by POPCRU at the recent Cosatu Central Executive Committee meeting that police killings are on the increase. The NEC also noted with concern the presentation that the nurses were also under attack particularly during night duty as expressed by DENOSA.
The NEC also observed the growing violent and bloody battles between those involved in illegal mining. Overall the NEC views these developments as presenting a shift towards the germination of a violent society which calls for urgent intervention. In addition, the NEC believes that the killing of police, violent attacks on nurses, destruction of public property during protest are symptoms of an angry society.These may also be representing a serious attack on the state itself.
For this reason, the NEC calls on the government to put all measures in place to attend to matters of service delivery, particularly as we move closer to 2016 in which our country will hold national local government elections.
2016 Local Government elections
Noting the above attacks as diagnosed by the NEC, the leadership calls upon its regions across the country to prepare their battle plans to contribute towards ensuring that the ANC wins the forthcoming elections in 2016. The regions are mandated to generate their regional plans which will culminate into an NUM National Elections Strategy to guide NUM. The plans must be submitted by 31 October 2015. Furthermore, the Political Commission of the union will generate a guidepost message defining the approach of the union .NUM NOBs will also seek interaction with the ANC to ensure synchronisation of strategy.
Mining Phakisa
NUM NEC is looking forward towards the Mining Phakisa process where it will participate with its delegation led by the President and General Secretary. The NEC hopes that this will expedite resolution of challenges within the industry.
Community protests
The NEC has noted the continuing protests in mining communities such as in Limpopo(Phalaborwa, steelpoort, and Mogalakwena).While the NEC regrets the violent nature of these protests it, however, believes that these are consequences of the industry `s failure to make transformation work given non-compliance with the Mining Charter targets and goals.
The NEC is of the view that for real transformation to happen in the mining industry there needs to be programme of action on the ground with NUM working closely with affected communities including even leading some of these protests within.
MSA debacle continues The NEC is still concerned with the fact that the MSA continues to be a challenge in terms of relations between unions and Management. As a result, the union will continue to use all avenues including engaging government to fight for better-working conditions at Eskom including the reviewal of the elements of the Minimum Service Agreement.
The NEC further noted that several managers were still locked in acting capacity.The NEC also calls upon Eskom to fill some of the strategic posts urgently to stabilise the entity executive.
Unclaimed benefits
The NEC continues to be seized with unclaimed monies locked in retirement funds at the value of 20 billion rands.An estimated value of R5, 2 billion is owed to mineworkers beneficiaries.
The NEC is concerned that middle men are taking advantage of the situation promising prospective beneficiaries quick fix so as to milk unsuspecting people.
Angloplat and Sibanye Gold transaction.
The NEC also noted the recent pronouncements by Angloplat that it will be selling some of its assets like the Rustenburg operation to Sibanye Gold. The operation has 16 000 workers. Will monitor this transaction carefully.
The union will be watching with keen interest to monitor that this take-over does not eventually invoke operational requirements in which case the company would want to compromise workers and dispose of them.This would not be solving the challenges of retrenchments.
Cosatu protest march The NEC will also participate in Cosatu `s national day of action on the 7th October 2015 in support of Section 77 notice relating to the following demands:
The Anti-corruption March on the 30th September 2015 The NEC noted the forthcoming march against corruption organised and led by NUMSA and others. The NEC stated that it continues to support the fight against corruption in both the public and the private sector in South Africa. The NEC believes that corruption is taking away resources that should be dedicated to public good and plunging them into narrow pockets of selfish plunder.
While the NEC notes this progressive plan it however calls upon all the members of NUM to focus their energy and commitment to the 7th October 2015 national day of action coordinated by Cosatu which is intended to wage war against e-tolls, Eskom tariffs , and job losses .Our members are under attack through retrenchments and this remains our priority area.
WFTU Unemployment Campaign The NEC continues to be concerned with the state of retrenchments and unemployment in South Africa. In this regard, the NEC supports the planned course of action by WFTU to lead a march on the 3rd October 2015 which will be directed to the Chamber of Mines.
Taking up the fight with Rio Tinto NUM continues with the war against global capital and in this regard it will be participating in the global day of action on the 7th October 2015. Amongst other things NUM and other unions involved in the Rio Tinto Global Union Network will be demanding as follows:
A letter of demands will be coordinated by all unions linked to the network to show unity and support on the demands.
Gold Sector Negotiations The NEC noted that the negotiating team was positively considering the new proposals before it and making all necessary consultation with those affected regions and members for a way forward.
Support for negotiating teams The NEC further called on all leaders of NUM and its members to rally behind the negotiating teams. He emphasised that if there was intervention needed the leadership should be informed so as to close gaps.
Its birth was facilitated by comrades Cyril Ramaphosa who rose to be its first General Secretary, James Motlatsi who turned to be its first President, and Elijah Barayi who became its Vice President and later the President of Cosatu in 1985 when the federation was formed. porn