Johannesburg - The strike at Africa’s biggest mobile phone service provider MTN continued on Monday, as the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the company were set to meet for a feedback session.
CWU deputy secretary Thabo Mogalane said the first meeting on Thursday saw an agreement being reached on four of the six demands the union put on the table.
“The two outstanding issues are bonuses and salary increase... The company said it would consult its principals and give feedback at the scheduled meeting today (Monday),” Mogalane said.
The two parties agreed on double pay for Sunday and public holiday work, conversion of casual workers to permanent, recognition agreement based on the increase of union membership and an establishment of a task team comprising of workers and a remuneration officer, said Mogalane.
“The task team would investigate the possibility of workers having been short-changed and possible settlement amounts.”
The union is demanding a 10-percent pay hike for its members and bonuses of 16 percent of the workers’ annual salaries.
The company has offered an 8-percent salary hike.
The union embarked on a strike on May 20. Workers blocked MTN entrances at its head office in Fairland, Johannesburg, prompting the company to go to court and obtain an interdict against them for breaking picketing rules. The interdict was obtained on Friday.
Mogalane said an agreement was reached on picketing at the head office. “The company was complaining that members were blocking entrances to the premises, we reached an agreement and settled the matter,” he said.
The meeting was scheduled to take place at midday on Monday.
ANA