Cape Town - Failed negotiations between Telkom and some of its employees saw hundreds marching in protest in various parts of the country.
In Cape Town, about 100 Telkom employees, affiliated to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), marched to the ATE building to hand over a memorandum of demands which include an 11 percent increase and an end to retrenchments.
The employees claim the company has gone from 67 000 employees in 1994 to 23 000 in 2013 and to about 12 000 this year.
Protests began earlier this month with employees taking part in go-slows and stayaways.
Read also: CWU marches to the bourse
CWU chairman Riedwaan Vermeulen said negotiations had begun in March. Employees wanted profits to be shared among them as they were in management.
“They are offering a zero percent increase while we read in the newspapers that executives are getting millions in bonuses.”
Union members planned to escalate the action and a strike was envisaged.
Andile Makina, who works in Telkom’s credit management department, said Telkom was feeling the pinch due to their protests.
Shamiel Thomas, who has 30 years’ service with Telkom, said working conditions had been deteriorating, especially regarding salaries.
“It is not fair that we do all the work and we get the least of the rewards. We want an increase and we want to be treated fairly.”
Telkom spokeswoman Jacqui O’Sullivan said all employees would get a 6 percent increase and be part of an incentive scheme called ‘performance pays’.
“This new scheme replaces the previous incentive scheme and has a larger funding pot.
“It enables our bargaining unit employees to have a more direct and clear linkage between their efforts and additional pay. Telkom wishes to pay its employees more for great performance.”
She said Telkom was aware the CWU felt that the current situation did not address the needs of their members.
“Two unions (SACU and Solidarity) have signed a two-year deal on the 2016/2017 substantive wage negotiations process. CWU is the only recognised union that has not signed the two-year deal.
“Telkom has given CWU the opportunity to procure this mandate, but to no avail. Telkom has consistently been given the impression that CWU is willing to reach an agreement, but at this stage, that has not happened.”
CAPE ARGUS