The National Trade Union Congress of South Africa (NTUC) has condemned the alleged victimisation of employees at communications regulator following a six-week long strike which ended this week.
NTUC spokesman Maston Phiri said reports from union members at Icasa showed they were being “targeted” and “victimised” by the employer following weeks of protest.
“This week, our members were informed that the employer will go ahead this month and deduct the then remaining five days in August, using the ‘no work, no pay’ system,” he said.
Icasa, however, said that the principle of “no work, no pay” as well as the fact that disciplinary measures would be taken against any employee involved in any form of misconduct during the strike were communicated to employees on 30 June, before they embarked on strike action.
Phiri said Icasa would also be making double deductions from union members’ salaries for medical aid, pension and provident fund contributions.
“The double deductions toward benefit funds (medical aid, pension and provident fund) are expected for any employee who misses his or her monthly salary, to keep his/her premiums up to date, and such was communicated to employees who were on strike on 19 July 2016,” Icasa said.
Phiri said that in July, Icasa applied the “no work, no pay” principle and did not make the said deductions.
“In a clear attempt to further frustrate and victimise our members, the employer will continue with its obsession of power-mongering and wage war against our members through double deductions,” Phiri said.
For weeks, over 100 Icasa workers were on strike demanding salary increases backdated to 2015 and bonus pay from 2014.
Other demands included the reversal of human resources policies and restructuring that took place in the 2014/2015 fiscal year.
Icasa also said it was not correct to say that management had betrayed employees on an agreement that striking employees were to be paid the five days not worked, as management is unaware of such an agreement.
“It is also not correct that employees are being victimised, subsequent to their participation in the strike. The strike was protected, and Icasa respects every employee’s right to strike, and would not condone misconduct by any employee.”