Question NW19 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
28 February 2023 - NW19
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Since 2020, what (a) progress has been made with each of the three trade unions at Eskom, namely (i) the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, (ii) the National Union of Mineworkers and (iii) Solidarity, regarding the unbundling of Eskom into three separate subsidiaries and (b)(i) total number of engagements have taken place and (ii) with whom?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
(a)(i)(ii)(iii)
Post the announcement by the President of South Africa to unbundle Eskom, Eskom concluded the Eskom Restructuring Consultative Framework (“RCF Agreement”) with NUM, NUMSA and Solidarity dated 20 April 2021. The framework also gave way to a Restructuring Consultative Forum (RCF), whose purpose is to consult with all the representative trade unions namely; NUM, NUMSA and Solidarity (collectively referred to “the trade unions”) on how Eskom intends to deal with the Transmission division’s employees during the separation.
(b)(i)
The first meeting was convened on 25 May 2021, and we have subsequently convened an additional 13 meetings since then.
(b)(ii)
In principle, the trade unions appear to be against the unbundling of Eskom.
To date, we have already had two disputes. At the last steering committee meeting held on 9 February 2023, the trade unions resolved to suspend the RCF and engage directly with the Group Executive Human Resources (GE HR), whom they consider as the custodian of this process.
In terms of our Recognition Agreement and RCF Agreement, the unions reserve the right to engage with the GEHR. Eskom will be prioritising such an engagement to determine the way forward.
Both Eskom and government will continue to engage the unions to provide both clarity and reassurances, where required.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises
Date: Date: