CAPE TOWN: Telkom will oppose the urgent application Solidarity and two other unions plan to bring before the Labour Court on Tuesday.
The unions want to interdict the company from proceeding with its planned restructuring and retrenchments, which could affect more than 4,000 employees. The Communication Workers Union and South African Communication Union support Solidarity’s application.
Trade unions declared a dispute with Telkom last month over the planned retrenchments, but claim the company has issued retrenchment notices — in terms of section 189 of the Labour Relations Act — to about 4,400 workers who are being offered voluntary severance packages and voluntary early retirement packages.
“The trade union is of the opinion that Telkom is disregarding an agreement on a restructuring process it had concluded with trade unions in 2008,” said Solidarity deputy head Johan Kruger. “Under this agreement, Telkom must meet with trade unions and reach agreement with them before the company may start a restructuring process.” Solidarity had warned Telkom in writing to withdraw the notice, but the company refused to do so, said Mr Kruger.
