The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has lashed out at the local telecommunications industry, where it is preparing to engage in battle on several fronts.
Union spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithebe says the CWU is concerned about the lack of employment being created in the sector.
"The [telecoms] industry is growing, but it is a jobless growth. There is a great need to encourage societal development and to tackle the high unemployment rate in the country, which is currently fuelling the high crime rate," Sithebe claims.
He also slated public reaction to the union, saying that "whenever the union raises these [employment-related issues] it is perceived as being anti-government. We are not anti-government, but we need a meeting of minds to address the issues facing the country."
The union has three telecoms players in its sights - Sentech, Vodacom and Cell C. This morning, Sithebe confirmed the union will embark on industrial action against Vodacom, following failed intervention by the Council of Concilliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) yesterday.
This comes after the union called for CCMA action on allegations that the country's biggest mobile operator is refusing to recognise the union as a representative labour organisation. Vodacom chief communications officer Dot Field has denied the claims.
No communication
The CWU has also criticised government signal provider Sentech, saying the group has not communicated formally with the union about its restructuring plans, which could see the retrenchment of six senior managers at the end of this month. Sithebe says it is "unacceptable" that the union learnt of the plans through the media.
A one-year "job security agreement" between the union and Sentech is due to expire in March, and Sithebe says the CWU would like to engage in negotiations with Sentech to extend the agreement or to explore alternative deals.
"We will be writing an urgent letter to Sentech, seeking to engage with them around these issues. We have a problem with the communication channels between us and the company."
Sentech spokesman Pranill Ramchander says there are no plans to retrench other staff as soon as the agreement runs out. The six managers, whose positions are being reviewed, may be retrenched as part of operational streamlining, he explains.
The CWU will also seek legal advice on how to tackle third mobile operator Cell C, which this week announced it will cut 20 jobs out of a total 2 634. Sithebe says the union does represent workers at the company, but does not yet have an agreement to be part of the bargaining council.
Related stories:
Cell C 'shake-up' is gentle stir
Vodacom rejects union's claims
Vodacom faces CCMA
Govt denies Sentech woes
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