The CCMA has called on Telkom and trade unions to resume wage negotiations, trade union Solidarity said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A strike would be the last resort as a solution should be found at the negotiating table, Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Telkom and the trade unions would resume talks on June 12, after which the matter would again be heard by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on June 24.<\/p>\n
“Telkom is standing by its offer of a six percent increase as part of a three-year agreement,” said Croucamp.<\/p>\n
“The telecommunications giant is also sticking to the omission of the condition that no forced retrenchments will take place during the three years.”<\/p>\n
He said Solidarity was unhappy with the omission. The union had already presented an amended offer, which included the condition, to their members to obtain a mandate.<\/p>\n
“We are concerned that the omission of this condition may lead to forced retrenchments,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are, however, still more than willing to negotiate with Telkom and will submit any fair offer from the employer to our members.”<\/p>\n
Telkom and unions met at the CCMA on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Telkom submitted an amended wage offer to the unions before the matter was heard by the CCMA.<\/p>\n
Negotiations around the amended offer also reached deadlock.<\/p>\n
Croucamp said Telkom embarked on a process to offer voluntary severance packages and voluntary early retirement packages to its entire work force of around 21,000.<\/p>\n
He said Solidarity had learned that more than 1500 employees had already accepted the packages.<\/p>\n
Telkom workers set for strike action?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n CWU rejects improved Telkom wage offer<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Telkom wage dispute sent to CCMA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Telkom not firing 13,000 people<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n