Yesterday's do-or-die meeting at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) failed to resolve a month-long labour impasse, and bilateral meetings between Telkom and each of its recognised unions are set to take place next week.
Telkom and its three unions - the Communication Workers' Union (CWU), the South African Communications Union (SACU) and Solidarity - have had several rounds of talks since March without reaching an agreement.
The current two-year wage deal expired at the end of March and was also the result of prolonged negotiation, which was settled through a last-minute offer by Telkom, which narrowly averted a strike.
Although Telkom will meet with each representative body next week in a bid to clarify outstanding issues, SACU has already indicated it wants a strike certificate, while Solidarity says it will mandate its members to get permission for industrial action.
The only union that seems happy with what is on the table is the CWU, as the deal will be in the best interests of most of its members - it will sort out an issue on salary disputes, which has dragged on for years.
No agreement
However, the two other unions are not happy with the fact that the salary increase budget will be used to sort out the salary discrepancy issue.
Telkom previously indicated its 6%-a-year offer, for the next three years, would be used to narrow the gap, but this would be at the unions' discretion. Inflation is 5.9%. The company then reversed that position, before putting it back on the table in the latest offer.
CWU spokesman Dennis Morobe says yesterday's meeting was "drama" and the unions could not convince each other to have the same end goal. He says the stalemate continues, although the CWU is prepared to engage with Telkom.
Morobe says the other unions' stance does not make sense, as the bulk of the workers will benefit from the offer. He says one-on-one talks will be held next week and, if that does not resolve the matter, the CCMA will issue a certificate of non-resolution.
Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp says yesterday was "extremely disappointing" and no headway was made, as Telkom is not budging. Solidarity does not have a mandate to accept what Telkom has proposed, which amounts to a salary freeze for some staff and that poor performers will be paid at the same level as high-flyers, he adds.
"It's like asking us to agree to someone else's mandate."
Croucamp says the bilateral meetings are aimed at clearing up some confusion, as there is a lack of clarity on Telkom's offer, but the union will ask its members for a strike mandate. He adds it is prepared to continue talks. "There's a lot at stake here."
SACU was not available to comment this morning.
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