Telkom and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) will meet on Thursday night in a bid to end a strike, the union said.
”We are meeting tonight [Thursday] in Kempton Park. The employer has called an urgent meeting under the supervision of the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] … we will see what they are offering, maybe we may reach some common ground,” said CWU spokesperson Pheane Ramoadi.
He said the workers had reverted to demanding a 13% wage increase and the adjustment of ”racially classified’ salary grades.
Workers had initially demanded a 13% increase but had settled for 7,5% if Telkom would first alter the salary scales. Ramoadi had previously said white employees dominated higher salary scales, while those on lower scales were black.
”We will see what the employer offers, they must meet us halfway …”
Ramoadi said if the offer was acceptable the workers would go back to work, otherwise the strike would continue.
Striking workers picketed on Thursday, and a march in Pretoria had been scheduled for next Tuesday.
On Tuesday the union gave Telkom three days to respond to its list of demands. — Sapa