Telkom says the recent three-year wage deal it inked with its bargaining unit members in the Communication Workers Union (CWU), will now apply to all employees in the bargaining unit, including Solidarity members.
This comes a week after Telkom put a deal together to sort out a historical salary disparity. The increase saw the wage bill gaining 6.8% a year, and the cumulative increase would be spread around to close wage gaps, resulting in some staff gaining an increase of more than 6%, and others less than that.
At the time Telkom and CWU signed the agreement it was expected that Solidarity and the SA Communications Union (SACU) would also sign the agreement.
SACU President, Michael Hare has indicated the union will sign the agreement next week. "Based on the outcome of SACU`S ballot process, 45% participated of which we did not get an outright majority not to accept the company's offer as we traditionally work on mandates, we are obliged to conclude an agreement with Telkom," says Hare.
Telkom has initiated the implementation process, which entails a special payroll run and the payment of part of the back pay by next Wednesday - with the rest being paid out on August 23.
Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko has expressed gratitude to the unions for "the manner in which they have engaged with [Telkom]". He says this is indicative of "the quality and robust yet constructive nature of the relationship" Telkom has developed with the unions over the years.
"Going forward, the same spirit will be required to confront the many challenges facing our organisation. With a shared vision, no challenge will be insurmountable."
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