http://www.finance24.co.za/Finance/Companies/0,,1518-24_1560451,00.html
Telkom playing 'numbers game'
20/07/2004 17:13 - (SA)
Thabang Mokopanele
Johannesburg - The trade union Solidarity on Tuesday accused dual-listed telecommunication giant Telkom (TKG) of playing a numbers game in an attempt to cover up the fact that the company is planning to shed 1 381 workers by the end of the year.
On Monday, Telkom stated that only 82 or 6% of the 1 381 employees earmarked for retrenchments are likely to be forcibly retrenched.
Telkom group human resources director Oupa Magashula said the company continued to explore other alternatives to retain affected workers.
Solidarity's chief secretary for the telecommunications industry Danie de Wet said Telkom has no grounds for the planned reduction in posts.
"Telkom is trying to shift the emphasis with plausible excuses, including packages and other processes. We do not accept this," he said.
Solidarity, together with the other trade unions recognised by Telkom, the Communications Workers Union and the South African Communication Union, are expected to meet with the company on Wednesday.
The trade union said that at the meeting it would announce a comprehensive plan on how to oppose any job cuts.
"Telkom used the same strategy last year to lay off approximately 1 500 workers. Employees are offered voluntary packages. If they refuse to accept these, they are referred to an agency for alternative training, which will theoretically enable them to apply for different positions either within or outside Telkom. If they are not successful in obtaining a different post they are offered a reduced package," De Wet added.
He said that in the light of Telkom's drastic job cuts over the past five years, the chances of getting another post within the company were so slim that employees were effectively compelled to accept the initial offer of a package.
"Telkom is playing with numbers when they are saying that only 82 people will be retrenched. The fact is that Telkom plans to cut 1 381 jobs."
De Wet noted that Solidarity has only one question to ask Telkom: "In the light of Telkom's record profits, can the company show any grounds at all for laying off another 1 381 workers?"
Telkom currently employs 35 000 workers and aims to reduce the number to about 28 000 in three year's time.
Edited by Wilco Roberts
<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">
Telkom playing 'numbers game'
20/07/2004 17:13 - (SA)
Thabang Mokopanele
Johannesburg - The trade union Solidarity on Tuesday accused dual-listed telecommunication giant Telkom (TKG) of playing a numbers game in an attempt to cover up the fact that the company is planning to shed 1 381 workers by the end of the year.
On Monday, Telkom stated that only 82 or 6% of the 1 381 employees earmarked for retrenchments are likely to be forcibly retrenched.
Telkom group human resources director Oupa Magashula said the company continued to explore other alternatives to retain affected workers.
Solidarity's chief secretary for the telecommunications industry Danie de Wet said Telkom has no grounds for the planned reduction in posts.
"Telkom is trying to shift the emphasis with plausible excuses, including packages and other processes. We do not accept this," he said.
Solidarity, together with the other trade unions recognised by Telkom, the Communications Workers Union and the South African Communication Union, are expected to meet with the company on Wednesday.
The trade union said that at the meeting it would announce a comprehensive plan on how to oppose any job cuts.
"Telkom used the same strategy last year to lay off approximately 1 500 workers. Employees are offered voluntary packages. If they refuse to accept these, they are referred to an agency for alternative training, which will theoretically enable them to apply for different positions either within or outside Telkom. If they are not successful in obtaining a different post they are offered a reduced package," De Wet added.
He said that in the light of Telkom's drastic job cuts over the past five years, the chances of getting another post within the company were so slim that employees were effectively compelled to accept the initial offer of a package.
"Telkom is playing with numbers when they are saying that only 82 people will be retrenched. The fact is that Telkom plans to cut 1 381 jobs."
De Wet noted that Solidarity has only one question to ask Telkom: "In the light of Telkom's record profits, can the company show any grounds at all for laying off another 1 381 workers?"
Telkom currently employs 35 000 workers and aims to reduce the number to about 28 000 in three year's time.
Edited by Wilco Roberts
<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">