Members of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) at Vodacom have vowed to continue with planned industrial action, the union said on Wednesday.
”Following the Labour Court’s lifting of the strike interdict against workers, the union has resolved to continue with the industrial action,” it said in a statement.
CWU’s interim Vodacom national committee debated the lifting of the strike interdict — an attempt by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to bring parties together — and the report from the forensic audit team that determines membership level of CWU at Vodacom.
”We then resolved to notify the company and all municipalities that would be affected by the strike about our plan of action.
”The union would also like to thank the CCMA for the interest it showed. However, CWU is currently resolving the issue directly with the company as mediation failed.”
The union hoped a detailed plan of action would be finalised by Thursday and the parties concerned notified.
On March 12, Vodacom obtained an interim court order preventing workers belonging to the CWU from striking.
After a single day of picketing, before the full strike had begun, the interdict was obtained from the Labour Court, said union spokesperson Mfanafuthi Sithebe.
The industrial action followed an unresolved dispute on the recognition of the CWU by Vodacom.
While the union argued for recognition, the company said in April that the union would only be recognised when 30% of Vodacom employees joined it.
The interdict was lifted by the Johannesburg Labour Court on Monday.
Sithebe said the court had ”opened the way for CWU to resume its strike”.
Vodacom spokesperson Dot Field said on Monday: ”We note the ruling and will abide by it.” — Sapa