Telkom retrenchments
Union accuses Telkom of failing to give workers clarity on retrenchments
The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has taken the company to court to halt the possible retrenchment of 3,000 employees.
The company has proposed a meeting with unions at the CCMA next week where more details are expected to emerge.
Yesterday the court described the CWU as being ‘confrontational’ and ‘obstructionist’ in talks with Telkom.
Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko talks about the firm’s plans to save costs after it halted the retrenchment of 4,400 people.
Sipho Maseko says he's being upfront about the company's financial situation to avoid a bigger crisis later.
The firm has retracted retrenchment notices which would have led to 4,400 job losses.
Telkom warns it will have to eventually continue with its retrenchment plan despite a Labour Court ruling.
The restructuring would have seen more than 4,000 Telkom workers lose their jobs.
Trade union Solidarity approached the Labour Court to try and interdict Telkom from cutting over 4,000 jobs.
Telkom said it will would with unions as it planned to push ahead with job cuts.
The telecommunications company says this is the latest phase in its turnaround strategy.
Telkom says it will offer voluntary compensation & early retirement packages to the retrenched people.
On Friday the union embarked on a strike outside the parastatal’s head offices in Pretoria.
Talks between Telkom & the CWU deadlocked after the company announced the closure of some stores.
CWU want Telkom to provide a clear reason behind its major restructuring that may leave thousands jobless.
The union says over 500 call centre workers have already been removed from their posts.
Telkom dismissed claims that it intends restructuring the field force which would impact up to 10,000 people.
Two unions claimed they’d been informed that the parastatal intended to start major restructuring.
Trade union Solidarity hopes to have retrenchments reversed due to the gym upgrade.