The Communication Workers Union (CWU) wants the chief executive officer of Telkom, Sipho Maseko, fired because of an alleged lack of transformation and job cuts at the company.

The union accused Telkom of having “a lily white and males only exco” and excluding black candidates.

CWU on Thursday also called for jobs to be saved at Telkom.

In June, Telkom announced that it planned to cut 4 400 jobs through voluntary severance packages or voluntary early retirement packages, while also outsourcing 3 400 employees.

“Any attempts to cut jobs will have devastating results,” said the union in a statement that it read out to journalists.

“We note that the CEO of Telkom has made efforts and committed himself to erode the existence of the union in Telkom in order to exploit workers,” said CWU.

CWU also alleged that employment conditions of ex-Telkom workers, who have been transferred to a business process outsourcing company called WNS, have been changed, which the union said is a violation of the Labour Relations Act.

“We are therefore calling for the dismissal of the CEO,” said CWU.

In reply, Telkom spokesman Jacqui O’Sullivan said: “The Telkom turnaround will only be delivered through significant organisational and operational change. We have made good progress, but we still have much to achieve.

“The company has engaged with labour and employees throughout this process and our focus has been on doing right by our people. Our approach has been to offer generous voluntary and early retirement packages, study support and enterprise development support. Inaction is not an option if we are to ensure a stable and growing future for Telkom, a company fulfilling a critical role within the South African economy.”

In addition, the union called for a national mass march of its members in October to protest against issues in the information and communications technology sector, such as problems experienced at the South Africa Post Office and restructuring at Telkom. — Fin24