There could be a massive shut down at Telkom and the Post Office if the demands of South Africa’s Communication Workers Union are not met. The union has said that a massive strike action is planned by its 23 000-strong members for the first week in September.
“We are prepared to move on issues as a matter of urgency,” CWU deputy president Clyde Mervin told News24.
“The CWU is demanding for the immediate suspension of SA Post Office (Sapo) chief executive Motswanesi Lefoka and chief operating officer John Wentzel who are being investigated for alleged corruption,” the news publication wrote.
Apart from their unhappiness with the current leadership, the union is also demanding an 11% salary increase, while the Post Office is only offering an “insulting peanuts” increase of 6.2%. The union also said that there is “no turning back” and will go to the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for feedback on negotiations.
Telkom, on the other hand, has been offering its workers a salary increase of 5%, while the union is also demanding 11%.
“We will negotiate with them on the street. The result is the picketing bedlam that has become a normal part of strikes,” Mervin concluded.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
