CWU will fight Telkom job cuts

"Even if Telkom uses different concepts or words like voluntary severance packages or early retirement, it still means retrenchment. As the CWU we find it difficult to agree with the company's intention," CWU president Cecil Mokgantsho said.

"The CWU we will never allow any form of retrenchment of our members. Even if the company threatens our members, we will fight," he said.

On Monday (11 March), Telkom announced it would offer voluntary severance and early retirement packages to thousands of its workers. The move was "aimed at enabling the company to achieve its business objectives, [and] secure its sustainability and commercial viability by balancing its workforce in line with its strategic imperatives".

Telkom employs about 21,000 people.

It said the move followed consultation with all parties, including recognised unions, such as the CWU, the SA Communication Union, and Solidarity.

Despite Telkom's statement saying unions had been consulted, Mokgantsho claimed the decision to offer severance packages had been taken without consultations with it.

Mokgantsho claimed the company was "forcing" workers to take voluntary packages and early retirement. Telkom rejected this, saying the process was voluntary.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge