MTN employees have been offered canteen subsidies, data benefits and extra Sim cards in an effort to overcome their grievances, but they still look set to strike later this week.

As many as 2 000 employees — many of them from MTN’s call centre operations — could down tools, according to union claims.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has received approval for a protected strike from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

MTN warned on Monday that customers could experience delays in reaching the call centre if the strike goes ahead. Workers are expected to walk out on Wednesday. It’s not known how long the industrial action will last.

Aggrieved employees are demanding a review of the current bonus scheme, the return of canteen subsidies, cellphone allowances and the introduction of a reward and recognition programme, MTN said.

According to chief human resources officer Themba Nyathi, MTN has offered a guaranteed 4% of annual salary bonus as well as a thirteenth cheque to level one and two employees.

Another benefit offered to employees is an increased canteen subsidy. They are also in line for an increased data limit on personal accounts as well as an extra Sim card each to be used by any person they nominate. Employees have also been offered a subsidy towards a year-end function.

MTN said that it has “one of the highest competitive benefits and remuneration practices in the industry”.

It refuted a claim by the CWU that it had historically given staff 30% bonuses. It said, too, that it does not recognise the CWU as it does not have the required representation within the organisation.