Vodacom workers to strike
Spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithebe said the industrial action followed an unresolved dispute on the recognition of CWU by Vodacom.
Sithebe said the union had given Vodacom a 48-hour notice on Wednesday on the planned industrial action.
He said CWU members were "ill-treated" through disciplinary hearings, dual deductions and cancellation of union membership.
From March 12, CWU members will picket in the morning and during lunch hours outside Vodacom offices and outlets.
On March 14, they will march to the Vodacom headquarters in Midrand.
"Should there be no settlement of the dispute by March 20 workers will embark on phase two of the national industrial action which will include go-slows, selective work, further picketing and downing of tools."
Sithebe said the notice to embark on a national strike did not close the possibility for further negotiations.
He said Vodacom management had made it a point that unions and workers were not given an opportunity to participate on the planned BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) deals.
"We therefore call upon NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) to ensure that the alignment ICT (Information and Communication Technology) BEE Charter with the DTI (department of trade industry) codes is properly managed," Sithebe said.
Vodacom spokeswoman Dot Field said CWU was not recognised because it had less than 30 percent membership in the company.
She said according to a collective agreement, a union had to have a 30 percent membership to be recognised.
The CWU had less than 10 percent membership, she said.
"We have no problem with our workers joining the union," she added.
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