Vodacom workers set to strike
Workers would picket in the morning and lunchtime on Monday and Tuesday, said union spokesperson Mfanafuthi Sithebe.
On Wednesday, strike action would be taken when workers would march to Vodacom headquarters in Midrand to hand over a memorandum.
"The company’s refusal to entertain any negotiations with workers has resulted in the current dispute," said Sithebe in a statement.
"In an attempt to bring the company into negotiations, hundreds of workers at Vodacom will hold pickets."
Vodacom had refused to recognise the union which meant it could not represent its members on labour issues with the company, Sithebe said.
The union was awarded a certificate of non-resolution last month by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) which allowed for industrial action.
Workers also wanted to participate in Vodacom’s black economic empowerment transactions, he said.
‘Tired of conditions’
"We are tired of these conditions of work," said Portia Sithole, a Vodacom employee in the statement.
"We want to talk. Vodacom needs to change and respect unions."
Last week Vodacom spokesperson Dot Field said the CWU was not recognised because it had less than 30% membership in the company.
She said according to a collective agreement, a union had to have a 30% membership to be recognised.
The CWU had less than 10% membership, she said.
"We have no problem with our workers joining the union," she added.
The largest communications union in South Africa, the CWU had 1 200 members at Vodacom, Sithebe said.
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