Telkom has rubbished claims by trade union Solidarity that its restructuring process will hit whites the hardest.
This follows allegations by Solidarity yesterday that race would be a key factor considered by the telco during its restructuring and retrenchment process.
Solidarity said Telkom indicated in a section 189 notice to trade unions yesterday that "employment equity" would be one of the selection criteria during the restructuring process. "If Telkom proceeds with this, it will mean that white employees will bear the brunt of the telecommunication giant's retrenchment process."
Telkom says the union's statement that race is the key selection criterion and that white employees will be targeted is an "inflammatory and misleading inference", which it unequivocally rejects.
"It's regrettable that Solidarity has chosen to play the race card again, in the context of a process that needs to address critical challenges that the company is facing," says the company.
"Telkom would prefer to focus on the consultation that it has been initiated and will take place within the structured Labour Relations Act (LRA) process, rather than pursuing media headlines with misleading hyperbole."
The company says, in the said notice to the unions in terms of section 189 of the LRA, Telkom proposed "LIFO" (last in, first out), subject to the retention of scarce and critical skills and - where applicable - that "employment equity considerations" be used as the selection criteria.
"As with any company, Telkom looks at a number of employment criteria in deciding to bring people into the company or to retain them during times of change. We are a technology company, so our people must be equipped with the necessary skills to perform the required body-of-work.
"They would also be required to have the correct qualifications and training and importantly, the necessary aptitude and attitude to be a part of the Telkom of the future."
Solidarity's telecoms industry head Marius Croucamp says the union yesterday warned Telkom in a letter to withdraw the section 189 notice.
Croucamp says, in addition, Solidarity and two other trade unions have declared a dispute with Telkom on Friday "as it failed to properly consult with trade unions and employees in accordance with its own restructuring forum".
He says the union feels the section 189 notice was premature.
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