“Job security”, with conditions including a facility for voluntary severance and early retirement packages, is included in Telkom’s offer to its employees, the company said on Monday.
“Parties were informed that the offer on job security is subject to acceptance of the 4,5% general increase, a 0,5% once-off payment to those who exceed their individual targets, a two-year agreement and the retention of the VSP/VERP facility,” said Telkom’s executive for employee relations, Meshack Dlamini.
The VSP/VERP facility refers to “voluntary severance packages” and “voluntary early retirement packages” to non-management staff.
Telkom and labour unions resumed wage negotiations last week when the SA Communication Union and Solidarity presented their final demands. The Communication Workers Union presented provisional demands.
“The parties will reconvene within the next two weeks. Organised labour will, in the meantime, socialise the company’s offer with their membership,” Dlamini said.
The Solidarity trade union on Monday said it wanted Telkom to place a two-year moratorium on retrenchments.
“At the first round of wage negotiations that took place at Telkom last Thursday, trade union Solidarity demanded that, apart from a general wage increase for two years, a two-year moratorium on retrenchments be implemented retroactively from 1 April this year,” said spokesman Marius Croucamp in a statement.
Telkom had given more than 1 650 permanent employees voluntary retrenchment packages leading to a skills shortage at the telecommunications company, he said.
“However, it appears that more voluntary severance packages will be offered, as Telkom wants to include a formal mechanism for voluntary severance packages in this year’s wage agreement.”
Croucamp said Telkom was offering a wage increase of 4,5% while Solidarity wanted 12%.
“Issues concerning standby allowances, telephone allowances, leave and payouts for long service periods will also be discussed during the negotiations.”
He said the next round of wage negotiations at Telkom would take place on 8 June. — Sapa
- Image: Peter Baker
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