Communication Workers Union

1.   South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC)

1.1  SABC Board and CEO

CWU welcome the new board of the SABC led by its Chairperson and the confirmation of acceptance of the SABC CEO. We have seen some conspiracy tendencies by some nameless people who want to destabilize our SABC by spreading baseless rumours. We want to warn anyone exercising these “Mbeki Era tendencies” with the intend to cause the Public Broadcaster any kind of harm, that they will be exposed and be faced with the full might of the workers. CWU want to assure the public and the new SABC Board that it will work closely with the new leadership of the SABC to make sure that workers interests are esteemed.

1.2  Transformation at the SABC

CWU want to encourage the new SABC leadership to promote the spirit of meaningful and ongoing engagement with the union particularly around consultation on the entire spectrum of transformation.

 

2.   Post Office

2.1  Conversion of “Non Permanent Employees” to “Permanent Employment Status”

There is a lot of drama Queens and father Christmases in the Post office. We will never allow our Post Office to be kindergarten.

Communication Workers Union will engage the South African Post Office (SAPO) endlessly and with little compromise around the matter of converting non permanent employees employed directly or through employment agencies etc, until all these workers are employed permanently. The exploitation of these workers can no longer be tolerated, and a number of compelling actions will be considered by the union.

2.2  Salary Anomalies - “Apartheid Wage Gap”

CWU will also continue to vigorously engage SAPO around the total and permanent elimination of the “Apartheid Wage Gap” that still exist within the Post Office. In recognition of the embarrassing wage structure the South African Post Office has agreed to set aside 32 million and 35 million rands respectively for the years 2010 and 2011 to deal with the scrapping of these anomalies.

         2.3  Underpayment for Sunday Work

The union and its vigilant members challenged the South African Post Office on the its members who have been underpaid for performing work on Sundays. An arbitration Award was granted ruling that the Post Office must pay CWU members affected by the underpayment. CWU is now in the process of fighting for all its members who have been affected by this saga throughout the country, to be reimbursed.

 

2.4  Integration of Speed Services into Courier Fright Group

CWU is also considering declaring a dispute on the persistent violation of the Integration agreement reached between parties. SAPO tried all tricks including that of dangling a carrot (buy-off) to entice our members to sell their souls and future wellbeing of themselves and that of their families by accepting to be bought out of the company. We have managed to stop this rod and will take all necessary steps to reverse all violations.

3.   VODACOM

3.1 Release of the KPMG Report

Communication Workers Union is disgusted about reports of former Chief Executive Officer, Alan Knott-Craig of Vodacom on gross management of funds in that institution. We call on the upper echelons of Vodacom to release the KPMG Forensic report to be publicized and seen by the public. Vodacom has also responded to an urgent meeting demanded by CWU relating to the media reports alleging corruption and nepotism and the release of the KPMG report.

3.2  Demand for further investigation at Vodacom to expose corporate corruption

CWU also call on the Minister of Communications, General Siphiwe Nyanda to set up an independent commission of enquiry in Vodacom to expose those that may have a hand in this greediness of looting public funds. And if the former CEO indeed was involved in these illegal processes of issuing tenders to his son and nieces without following proper procedures, he must face the music and be dealt with. The matter must be reopened if it was closed as alleged by Vodacom.

We will never allow any individual who hold any position of responsibility to abuse that position to enrich himself or herself or his family at the expense of workers. Workers play a critical role in the economy of this country. As CWU, we will never rest until these people are brought to book because ours is to make sure that those who are corrupt must be regimented. Ours is workers interest not individuals.

3.3  Vodacom “Yebo Yethu Shares” Dispute Recession

CWU challenged its exclusion from and the process leading to the allocation of the “Vodacom Yebo Yethu Shares” by Vodacom to its employees and in particular CWU members. We also challenge Vodacom to align itself to the BEE Act in regard to the allocation of shares; and to adhere to their “Public Proxies” released to the public.  In this regard, the CEO Mr. Peter Dirk Uys committed to the inclusion of CWU on the process of how the shares should be allocated, but this was never the case as CWU received letters that Vodacom had no duty to consult or bargain with CWU on this matter. As a vigilant organization determined not to compromise or surrender the struggle to defend, advance and enhance workers interests CWU referred the matter to the CCMA, which referral was opposed by Vodacom. We emerged victorious as the CCMA has now issued a date of the 05th February 2010 for the matter to be heard. A lot more could be revealed during this process, which may incriminate some Vodacom management including the former CEO.

4.  MTN

Regardless of the fact that CWU is not recognized by MTN yet, our organization demonstrated its commitment to defend its members wherever they find themselves, to this end we forced MTN to properly consult with the union in terms of the law and this resulted in an out of court settlement reached on 07 December 2009 where in the main, MTN agreed to consult CWU on behalf of its members that may be affected by retrenchments.

Despite this victory for workers, MTN again tried to frustrate the implementation of the consultation process, this time arguing that they hold a different understanding of the out of court settlement. CWU never gave up and threatened to take the matter back to court for non compliance. This action resulted in MTN agreeing to stop all consultation processes until  CWU have been provided with all relevant information relating to the anticipated retrenchments, which will enable CWU an opportunity to:

(i)          Submit alternatives which will avoid or reduce the number of workers to be retrenched;
(ii)         Allow an opportunity to engage on improvement of severance packages and
(iii)        Provisions of assistance by MTN to the “retrenchees” and also;
(iv)        Allow CWU the opportunity to contribute on the selection criteria, etc.

We also learned from our members that there is one technical division that is relocating to Dubai and all employees who refused to relocate are given notices for termination of their services. MTN have not disclosed any information regarding this move but instead we learnt of the company embarking on section 189 process. CWU will not allow any form of exploitation of its members by MTN for the sake of profits for a few, so our union will take all steps to defend these members.

5.  Campaigns

Given these critical matter raised above, CWU want to warn all employer in the “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector that the union will be considering a vigorous campaign against any employer who exploits workers in this sector. Our coming National Executive Committee will discuss what form of interventions and action need to taken to protect CWU members and workers in general within the sector.