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Johannesburg - Telkom says the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU) has “chosen to completely misrepresent the facts” regarding a Labour Court order.
On Wednesday, the ICTU announced that Telkom's planned retrenchment of 105 workers has been halted by the Johannesburg Labour Court.
The union said it brought an urgent application against the telecommunications company to stop the retrenchments. ICTU further said Telkom has to furnish it with all relevant information which the union claimed Telkom had not previously done.
"As we will be going back to the table we will make it clear to Telkom that their plan to sell and retrench is opposed by ICTU unapologetically," ICTU spokesperson Thabang Mothelo said in a statement.
However, Telkom has released a statement saying that its “restructuring process has not in any way been halted by the order”.
“It is disappointing that the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU) have chosen to completely misrepresent the facts contained within today’s Order by the Labour Court of South Africa,” said Telkom.
“The Court granted the relief as neither Telkom nor the other unions oppose the application,” the telecoms firm said.
Telkom further said that its formal consultations have not yet started but that the ICTU will be included in those discussions.
“Telkom did not oppose the application as the company has not to date, nor will it ever, bar the ICTU from any formal consultation process,” said Telkom
“The ICTU is a registered union but is not recognised by Telkom. The Labour Relations Act also states that registered unions must be included in formal consultation processes on matters such as a Section 189 and Section 197 processes, if their members may be affected.
“In line with the law, the ICTU will be included in the formal consultations. Those consultations have not yet begun,” Telkom said.
Telkom also said that the ICTU claim that the telecoms company has retrenched employees prior to serving them with notices prior to consultation “is simply untrue”.
Background
Telkom, though, has revealed how the ICTU was left out of discussions between the telecom operator and other unions last week.
Telkom in its statement said the ICTU were invited to attend the first formal consultation session with organised labour, which was scheduled for February 20, 2015 where “a number of process matters to be addressed”.
“While Telkom was willing to allow the ICTU to remain in the room for those discussions, the Communication Worker’s Union (CWU) objected to the ICTU’s presence, as the current recognition agreement only allows participation by recognised unions in the Company Forum,” said Telkom.“On the basis of the CWU’s objection, the ICTU left the meeting,” Telkom added.
Restructuring
Earlier this month, Telkom announced restructuring plans at the company.
The company announced plans to implement "cost efficiencies" in its Direct Stores as well as its call centres, IT Legacy Systems and internal printing, supply chain and properties.
Twenty Telkom Direct Stores face closure while job losses could be on the cards.
According to a letter written from Telkom’s human resources department to labour union Solidarity, the telecoms company has 18 384 employees and it has retrenched 379 employees in the last 12 months.
