Vodacom ‘spying’ on workers
The employee, Portia Sithole was dismissed last Friday after attending a union activity while on a doctor-mandated sick leave.
Communication Workers Unions of South Africa (CWU) spokesperson Mfanafuthi Sithebe said Sithole’s dismissal had prompted other workers – who thought it was unjustified – to question whether Vodacom was illegally targeting union activists.
The company monitored her location using her mobile telephone.
"There was no case against Portia. I don’t understand why we are wasting company resources on these punitive measures," said Aubrey Tshabalala, a CWU office bearer at Vodacom.
Tshabalala also faces disciplinary action.
"The company offers employees a phone as a company benefit. Now they are using it as a tracking device to see where one goes and when. I think it is a total invasion of privacy," said Sithole.
"I don’t believe they do this to all employees on sick leave," said Mfanafuthi.
Vodacom said it would not comment on the dismissal.
Meanwhile, the labour court in Johannesburg has requested more time to consider arguments from Vodacom and striking members, the Communication Workers Unions of south Africa (CWU) said on Wednesday.
"Our members are disappointed. They were ready for an action… But this also gives the company more time to come to the table and negotiate than using lawyers as a buffer," said CWU spokesperson Mfanafuthi Sithebe."
On March 12, Vodacom obtained an interim court order preventing workers belonging the CWU from striking.
At a second hearing on March 19 the court requested more time to consider arguments on both sides before making a final ruling.
Mfanafuthi said both Vodacom and the CWU had not objected to the postponement of the ruling until April 16.
The industrial action followed an unresolved dispute on the recognition of the CWU by Vodacom.
While the union argued for recognition, the company said earlier this month that the union would only be recognised when it had a 30% membership.
The 30% membership was previously agreed upon with the union.
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