Solidarity says it will "demand" Telkom review its restructuring plans that will see the company loss about 7 800 jobs as it outsources some staff and goes through a voluntary retrenchment process.
The union says Telkom's plan, which will see it become a leaner more competitive telco to match the current environment, will send "thousands of workers to their economic death". All three of Telkom's recognised unions, Solidarity, the Communication Workers Union and the South African Communications Union, will meet with the telco tomorrow to discuss the restructuring.
Telkom intends to retrench 4 400 employees through voluntary severance packages and voluntary early retirement packages, and also transfer an additional 3 400 employees to external outsourced providers or via enterprise development.
Spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan has explained the enterprise development option will see Telkom assist existing employees to develop their own new businesses. "These businesses, which will be owned and managed by former Telkom employees, would then be able to contract their services back to Telkom along with any other service providers in this growing and competitive industry."
After the restructuring, Telkom Wholesale will end up with an estimated 4 000 full time employees in the new separated wholesale business. Telkom is splitting its operations into three entities: retail, wholesale and infrastructure
However, Solidarity says Telkom's workforce will eventually comprise about 4 000 staff as it only needs the services of some 7 200 people.
"It makes no sense to get rid of skilled employees with specialised knowledge, only to sign contracts with them later to obtain their services again. Telkom is dependent on these employees to provide proper service to the public," says Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp.
During tomorrow's meeting, Solidarity will table the following demands:
- Telkom should review its enterprise development plan because it has not provided sufficient information to workers.
- Telkom must postpone the implementation date of its restructuring to allow enough consultation.
- Telkom must establish working groups to support staff and provide them with information.
- Telkom must increase its focus on service delivery while taking into account the increased workload on employees.
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