Union struggles to get Vodacom’s recognition
"For the past five or six years, we have been trying to organise a mouthpiece. This is not happening because Vodacom has used tactics against us," said Frith Selelo, a senior accountant at Vodacom.
Singing protesters wore T-shirts displaying slogans such as "Recognise the CWU", "Stop union bashing" and "Create decent sustainable jobs".
The workers' main grievance was that they had no voice at the company. The company required 30 percent of its 4 302-strong workforce to join the CWU before it would negotiate with the union.
"Whenever we present the company with our member numbers, they give us a different workforce number. Therefore, we never seem to reach our target," said Selelo.
Vodacom spokesperson Dot Field said the union had not reached the 30 percent level required for recognition. There were "a total of 432 paid-up members in Vodacom. If they reach the target, then we will gladly recognise them."
Selelo said there was no forum for negotiating salaries or employee equity within the company.
Vodacom said it was doing its best for employees regarding benefits. Field said there was an annual salary review and remuneration progression to ensure that salaries related to the economic environment.
The minimum wage was R90 000 a year, "including contributions to pension fund and medical aid". Benefits went as far as free antiretrovirals for HIV-positive employees, free emergency services, discounted cellphone benefits and a housing loan scheme.
Earlier, Vodacom blocked strikers' cellphones under a no work, no pay and no benefits policy.
The workers outside Vodaworld included consultants, supervisors, warehouse operators and those employed in customer care.
Selelo said they would not stop the picketing, but were prepared to negotiate. "While we think we reached 30 percent … this is not a protest about numbers, but about representing our collective voice."
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