Telkom denies racist behaviour

By Nicola Mawson for Telkom

Johannesburg, 06 Aug 2009

Telkom has “steadfastly remained committed to the country's transformation goals, while striving to attain sustainability by preserving jobs”, says the telecommunications company.

This statement follows claims by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) that the company's behaviour is racist.

Sapa quoted CWU spokesman Pheane Ramoadi as saying “the company is enforcing a drastic racism in their employment levels”. He alleged white employees dominate higher salary scales, while black employees are on lower scales.

Ramoadi also accused Telkom of paying its white employees bonuses that were R10 000 higher than those given to black colleagues, according to the wire service.

However, group CEO Reuben September says Telkom is committed to diversity in the workplace. “The company is actively pursuing a point in time where we will be able to say that our workforce truly reflects the South African demographics.”

Gallant Roberts, CWU secretary general, says the union has seen transformation at Telkom, but it is not fast enough. “More can be done, and faster for that matter.”

CWU is in the midst of a wage dispute with Telkom over narrowing salary gaps. It wants a 7.5% increase to be implemented only after workers have been moved up the salary band, which would give them an effective 12% increase.

So far, all talks have failed and both parties are set to meet again on 11 August, the same day the union will embark on a full-blown national strike, says Gallant. Industrial action is being carried out in all provinces, but this varies between stay-aways and go slows, he says.

Training, transformation

September says the company is “proud” that blacks represent 62% of all staff; 67.86% at senior management level.

Telkom's black employees on average receive 50 to 60 hours of training a year and specific programmes have been developed to assist staff with career planning.

In the most recent financial year, Telkom says 257 candidates were trained in value chain management and technology management. Of these participants, 50% were female and 78% were black, with 55.6% being African.

So far, 18 graduates from the ICT General Manager's Programme have obtained an MSc Degree in Management of Technology and Innovation. The race and gender profile of graduates is 39% female and 61% black.

In addition, a total of 100 employees graduated from the Advanced Operations Management Development Programme in November 2008.

”We are hopeful that we will find a satisfactory resolution to all the matters raised by CWU in a manner that will be affordable to the company,” says September. He has committed himself and management to “transforming the organisation to create a better future for all its employees”.

Turning violent

The industrial action has resulted in several acts of violence, which has “disappointed” the telco.

Telkom SA MD Nombulelo Moholi says there have been a number of incidents, especially suspected acts of sabotage and vandalism, reported from many parts of the country, especially KwaZulu-Natal.

“An investigation is currently under way to determine the cause of the damage. Early indications are that this may have been the work of vandals.”

By midday yesterday, 17 incidents had been reported to Telkom's Asset and Revenue Protection Services. Fifteen occurred in KwaZulu-Natal and two in Gauteng. Damage to cable infrastructure and street distribution cabinets accounted for most of the reports.

“Customers are assured that Telkom's main priority remains the maintenance and, where necessary, the restoration of affected services. Telkom extends sincere apologies to all affected customers,” Moholi emphasises.

She says all suspected acts of sabotage and vandalism “will be fully investigated and perpetrators will be dealt with through the criminal justice system”.