Share

Sentech misleading public - CWU

Johannesburg - Sentech's claims about the unaffordability of workers' wage demands are misleading, says the Communication Workers' Union (CWU).

The union's acting general secretary Thabo Mogalane said in a statement: "The statement by Sentech management as released on July 30 seeks to mislead the public about the current state of affairs in a wage dispute prevalent between Sentech management and CWU."

Union members wanted a 10% wage increase for the lowest-paid workers, 9% for middle-income earners and 7% for the highest-paid staff.

Demands unaffordable

They wanted a guaranteed 13th cheque in the current financial year, a housing allowance of R1 450 a month and a moratorium on retrenchments during the wage agreement period.

Sentech spokesperson Sithembele Senti said on Wednesday the CWU's demands were unaffordable and would affect the business's sustainability negatively.

Mogalane said the demand for a 13th cheque was not unreasonable because management's counter-offer of a once-off 10% gratuity would cost more than the bonus cheque.

Period of agreement

He said workers made up 53% of the company's wage bill and management, with 132 people, 47%.

"This means in simple layman's terms that the managerial structure is top heavy and bloated, and, as such, constitutes a threat to the sustainability of the business."

He said the union rejected Sentech's proposal of a three-year phase-in or the 13th cheque commencing next year.

"Our period of an agreement is on a one-year basis and not a multi-term agreement."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders