Over 15 000 Telkom workers are expected to participate in a national stayaway starting on Monday, Solidarity and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said on Thursday.
At a press conference held in Johannesburg, both unions said the strike action would be part of a campaign to fight against Telkom’s unfair ”gain-sharing” schemes.
The unions said workers were not satisfied with the distribution of profits within the company as managers benefited above general workers.
”The Telkom CEO receives a profit share of 130% while the workers only receive 4%. More than 90% of workers feel cheated. This has de-motivated them,” said CWU deputy president Karthi Pillay.
Solidarity general secretary Bennie Blignaut said the gain-sharing programme was underpinned by an embarrassing gap between management and employees.
”Telkom should consider that the gap must be closed,” he said.
The lowest-paid worker at Telkom earns R3 000 while the highest paid earns R150 000, the union coalition said.
Other grievances raised include the compression of workers’ grades by Telkom.
”If you are a grade 10, you are expected to perform as a grade eight, but you are not paid accordingly, then inequality is created by the company. Workers are not rewarded. We demand equal pay for equal work,” said Pillay.
The unions said the Telkom CEO promised to address these issues, but the company has not made an offer.
”Telkom expects workers to give from the heart, but they don’t give from the heart. The question is does Telkom have a heart,” said Toto Ntetho of CWU.
”Telkom has the money but they do not want to share it with the workers.” he said.
The campaign was launched after negotiations between Telkom and the unions came to a standstill on Monday.
Pillay said the unions had held a series of meetings with the company, and took the matter to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, but the parties failed to reach an agreement.
The unions said the company tabled a 6,25% wage increase in a three-year plan, but workers were demanding 8,5% for the lowest-paid worker and 7,5% for other workers.
Pillay said workers also want assurance that there would be no more retrenchments.
”There is uncertainty and fear among workers. There must be a sense of job security,” he said.
The coalition campaign will include national protest action expected to take place next week, with support from international telecommunications unions. Unions will also attempt to exact parliamentary debate on the matter and will ask for support from political parties.
”We believe this will be the biggest campaign against Telkom by labour movements,” said Pillay.
About 55% of Telkom’s workforce is unionised.
Telkom spokesperson Lulu Letlape was not immediately available for comment. — Sapa