A last-minute offer from Telkom is expected to bring five months of salary negotiations to an end next week.
Yesterday, the three unions and Telkom met again in a bid to end deadlocked negotiations, which have dragged on for about five months. Telkom increased its offer to 7% across-the-board, which is close enough to the unions' demands to settle the matter.
For 2012, Telkom has offered a 6.5% increase. The company has also offered to increase employees' profit sharing to 18%, which is based on individual and company performance.
The three unions - Solidarity, the Communication Workers Union, and the South African Communications Union (SACU) - last week threatened to down tools if Telkom did not offer 7.5% for higher paid workers and 8% for the lowest paid staff.
A week ago, Telkom proposed a 6.5% increase for this year, and inflation plus one percentage point for next year, according to a recent joint statement issued by the unions.
Telkom previously proposed a 5% increase for the period between April and September this year, and an additional percentage point for the period October 2011 to March 2012, as well as inflation plus one percentage point for the next year. Those increases were rejected by unions.
Unions were set to down tools yesterday over the two-year wage deal, which was meant to come into effect in April. However, although a strike certificate had been issued, negotiations continued this week.
Fair offer
Hare explains the unions want to notify Telkom in time for the next salary run as the 7% increase will be backdated to April. “Time is against us.”
Although about 15 000 Telkom staff members, collectively represented by the unions, still have to vote, Hare says the feedback on SACU's Facebook page is positive. He expects staff to accept the deal, which will stop a strike from happening. “It looks promising.”
Hare says other outstanding matters have also been resolved. The issue of job security will be negotiated through a restructuring forum, while a task team will be set up to deal with medical aid and salary disparities, he adds. Telkom previously indicated its 5% offer was linked to job security.
Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp says the union will seek a mandate from its members as to whether the offer should be accepted. He believes the proposed increase is “fair”.
Telkom does not comment on labour issues.
Share