After months of bitter squabbling, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has conceded it will not be recognised as a representative labour organisation within SA's largest mobile operator.
The union and Vodacom, at loggerheads since March, recently reached agreement on several issues, primarily on the level of worker representation that the union holds at the company.
Union members downed tools earlier this year, after the union accused the mobile provider of refusing to recognise it as a representative labour organisation within the company and of denying it its "organisational rights".
However, an independent auditor found the CWU representation level stands at 15% of Vodacom's total workforce. This is half of the required 30%, as agreed by the union and Vodacom in 1999, which would allow the union to join the collective bargaining council.
The protracted dispute - characterised by on-again, off-again strike action - prompted the Department of Communications to appoint an independent forensic auditor to assess the exact numbers of CWU representation.
Commendable working conditions
The latest agreement between the parties was signed based on the findings of Gobodo Forensic and Investigative Accounting.
In a joint statement, CWU and Vodacom say they have also consulted with each other on current internal disciplinary actions faced by employees and have agreed on certain principles that would be optional to the employees.
"Both parties further confirmed that Vodacom employees are fully empowered to join a union of their choice," says the statement.
"Both the CWU and Vodacom recognise that Vodacom has commendable working conditions and benefits offered to all its employees. It was further confirmed that Vodacom does not have any racial or sexist policies. Should any transgressions of such policies occur, both parties are committed to addressing such issues."
Vodacom chief communications officer Dot Field stated this morning that all issues have been resolved and that no further industrial action is expected. CWU spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithebe was not available for comment.
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