Strike looms as workers accuse Telkom of racism

Telkom workers, who have threatened to strike, are not scheduled to meet management again until next week, the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) said on Tuesday.

The union and management would meet on August 11 at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), said CWU spokesperson Pheane Ramoadi.

On Monday, Ramoadi said negotiations had broken down when Telkom representatives had made a proposal that was less than a previous offer. He said this reduced offer was made after the Telkom board intervened.

“The company requested to go back on their principles, We will meet next week Tuesday [August 11] while they request more money from their board,” said Ramoadi.

The workers had initially demanded a 13% increase, but had settled for 7,5% if Telkom would alter salary scales that Ramoadi said were racialised.

“They said they were prepared to move people up from the lower level but now it seems like they have reversed,” said Ramoadi.

“The company is enforcing a drastic racism in their employment levels,” he said.

He said white employees dominated higher salary scales while employees on lower scales were black.

Ramoadi also accused Telkom of paying its white employees bonuses that were R10 000 higher than those given to black colleagues.

Telkom did not immediately respond to the South African Press Association’s questions about the dispute.

The CWU would march from Pretoria City Hall to Telkom Tower on Tuesday to hand over a memorandum of demands to management.—Sapa