MNP threat for Vodacom

By Christelle du Toit, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 23 Jul 2007

Mobile number portability (MNP) is set to become the latest union weapon in the ongoing Vodacom strike.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is threatening to have all its members, who subscribe to Vodacom, port out of the telecommunication provider`s network.

In addition, it wants companies to move their accounts from the cellular giant in light of Vodacom`s refusal to recognise the Communications Workers Union (CWU) as a representative labour organisation.

CWU workers have been on strike since 2 July over the non-recognition of their union, as well as working conditions-related complaints.

The Cosatu threat follows a recent protest by the union in front of Parliament and forms part of the trade union federation`s ongoing support for the CWU industrial action.

"Since Vodacom is continuing with its attitude of not recognising the union, Cosatu made the call for all their affiliates to move their accounts away from Vodacom," says CWU spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithebe.

Insufficient representation

Sithebe could not give a clear indication of how many Cosatu members are Vodacom subscribers. However, he says as Vodacom was the first cellular player to enter the country, the number of its clients among workers is bound to be significant.

"As part of solidarity with the CWU, it is high time the affiliates move away from Vodacom," says Sithebe. "You cannot have a relationship with a company that is anti-unions."

Dot Field, chief communications officer of the Vodacom Group, says: "We have recognised the CWU since 1999 and have granted them certain organisational rights despite insufficient representation."

She says the company has had ongoing discussions with the CWU to grant them further rights, despite insufficient representation.

"Their current representation is approximately 10% of our workforce. Their demand is that we grant them rights as though they represented the majority of employees in our company," says Field. "We will not do so since 90% of our employees do not want us to do so."

Field says the latest impasse with the union "is about the union`s credibility and financial prosperity, as opposed to the working conditions of Vodacom employees".

She adds: "We [Vodacom] continue to respect the rights of the union, as well as our employees. Our credibility as a loyal and dedicated South African company requires no further emphasis."