MTN: We will not budge on wage offer
MTN says it remains firm on its wage offer, and pledges to fully restore operations, while taking a zero tolerance stance on violence and intimidation.
MTN is currently engaged in discussions with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) as workers at the telecom company’s call centres and franchises are on strike.
The striking workers are demanding salary increases of up to 10% and bonuses of 12% of their annual salaries.
As the industrial action by service employees enters its ninth day, MTN pledged to bring the disrupted operations into full operational mode, “and safeguard the lives of non-striking employees and protect its infrastructure and facilities”.
The operator said that the strike has had minimal impact on its core operations which are running optimally.
It rejected reports that the strike has culminated in the bulk suspension of customers, as ‘baseless, sensationalist and alarmist’. “The only areas affected are some of the distribution and service centres,” it said.
“The 808 call centre is back online, though it is not yet fully operational. MTN has undertaken to bring these operations into full operational mode by the end of the week,” MTN said.
It said that it was concerned about the conduct of employees who continue to burn tyres on MTN premises, intimidate non-striking employees and barricade the main exits.
“This unruly conduct is in violation of the picketing agreement that MTN signed with the Communications Workers Union (CWU). MTN will be taking stern measures to safeguard its employees and protect its right to conduct business and offer services to its customers in line with its license obligations,” said MTN SA Human Resources Executive, Themba Nyathi.
It also pointed to reports that the security personnel at its head office has subjected protesting employees to derogatory and racial slurs.
MTN maintained that its offer is better than what the Communications Workers Union (CWU) demanded initially.
MTN is offering an 8% guaranteed bonus which will be payable in two instalments. The first payment was made on March 2015, and the second instalment will be payable in December 2015.
“MTN will take disciplinary steps and lay criminal charges against employees who are implicated in acts of criminality. Resorting to acts of violence and intimidation is not in the spirit of negotiations and violates the laws of the land,” said Nyathi.
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