The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) condemned the compulsory drug and alcohol testing of workers by Eskom, the union said in a statement on Thursday.
”The new test policy procedure which was never negotiated with the union will affect 17 000 workers in Eskom’s electricity distribution units,” said Numsa national spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli.
He added that workers who refused the breathalyser testing would be regarded as absent and would face disciplinary action.
”This is ludicrous, outrageous and an embarrassment to the public utility company because there is no agreement with the union on drug and alcohol testing.
”There is no evidence of substantial drug or alcohol abuse that gave rise to the random testing,” said Ntuli.
The problems at Eskom, he said, were directly related to the short-term perspectives of managers who focused more on limiting workers rights rather than building sustainable relations with the unions.
Eskom spokesperson Fani Zulu said it was unfortunate that Numsa had misrepresented the company’s policy, the process leading up to its implementation and the mood that currently prevails within the distribution division.
He said the distribution division had gone through an extensive consultation process in work groups and formal consultative structures. In the process, there were significant changes made to accommodate labour’s input.
”In the National Group Forum held on November 13, 2002, a consultative structure in which both management and organised labour are represented, a decision was taken to proceed with the implementation of the amended procedure. At the request of Numsa, the implementation date was postponed to 1 May 2003 to allow for the training and education process to be completed,” said Zulu.
Eskom, he added, had clearly articulated the purpose of this policy to organised labour, including Numsa.
”This includes compliance with relevant statutory requirement; providing a healthy and safe working environment; identify, control, and reduce substance abuse in the workplace; prevent and reduce fatalities and accidents and to improve productivity; identify the need for rehabilitation and offer assistance; and finally to encourage employees to have a healthy lifestyle free from substance abuse,” said Zulu. – Sapa