Trade union Solidarity has threatened to go to court to obtain an urgent interdict if Cell C does not stop its retrenchment process “immediately”.
The union argues that the mobile operator has not followed the correct procedure in terms of the Labour Relations Act, which requires a process of consultation with interested parties and trade unions.
Last week, Cell C said it had embarked on a restructuring process that could see 150 employees without a job. The operator, which has 1 288 permanent and fixed-term employees, said it started consulting with staff last week.
However, Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp alleges Cell C makes a distinction between union members and other employees. He alleges the company is discriminating against union members and is bullying staff into agreeing to retrenchments.
Melody Lekota, Cell C's chief human resources officer, argues that the operator is “following the retrenchment process exactly in accordance with the law, with empathy, and with generous severance packages”.
Lekota says, while retrenchment is never a pleasant process, most staff have been positive and constructive.
Solidarity can represent their 12 affected members in accordance with the law, says Lekota. “It is unfounded to say that we are discriminating against their members as we have not yet had the opportunity to meet with them and discuss their severance packages.”
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