Communication Workers Union

Communication Workers Union congratulates the President of the Republic of South Africa; Comrade Jacob Zuma on his inauguration on the 09th May 2009. We also wish to extend congratulations to the President Zuma’s Cabinet Ministers, whom we believe are capable man and woman drawn from the very core and fibre of our society to take South Africa to greater heights.

As we have committed to votes of our members to the African National Congress on the 22nd April 2009, we now commit to mobilize all our members to work towards the realization of the Polokwane Resolutions and the ANC commitments declared in its past election manifesto, in order to ensure the realization that “Working Together We Can Achieve Better”.

Communication Workers Union is particularly delighted about the appointment of the Minister of Communication and his Deputy. These appointments have bolstered our confidence and we are optimistic that working together with the ministry, indeed we can do better in the interest of workers in the ICT sector and the South African society in general.

On the 7th August 2008, CWU & SACU resumed talks with Telkom and debates continued for the entire day.

Yesterday (08/08/2008) the parties met to refine the “Pro-Forma” agreement drafted on the 7/8/2008, and one of the key achievements reached by CWU & SACU in this process was being able to convince Telkom negotiators to remove the word “average” from clauses making reference to the 11% and the 0.5% salary increases.

This effectively means that all CWU & SACU members in the Bargaining Unit will get 11%  backdated to the 1st of April 2008 and a further 0.5% salary from the 1st of October 2008 respectively. Parties have agreed to resume and engage on the possibility of backdating the 0.5% to June 2008.

The salary increments will be extended to items with monetary value on the “Total Package” concept applied by Telkom, e.g. Medical aid.

On “Gainsharing” (Another aspect with monetary value to workers), parties have agreed to refer the matter  for Advisory Arbitration, and to further engage on the principles, formula and eligibility of receiving “Gainsharing”. Both matters will be concluded by 30th September 2008.

CWU & SACU signed the agreement with a clear caution to the employer, that the salary increments inclusive (11.5%) is still below the current inflation rate which is standing at 11.6%. The struggle continues when we meet Telkom in the forth coming substantive negotiations, which will include salary increments.

CWU & SACU salute the strength and support demonstrated by its members during the Stay Away from the 1st to 4th August 2008.