MTN to start talks with union

MTN management will meet with Communications Workers Union to try and put an end to the strike.

MTN workers strike at the company's Innovation Centre. Photo: Sonwabile Antonie

MTN management and Communications Workers Union (CWU) are set to meet this afternoon to start negotiations over their demands.The union organised a mass protest at MTN Innovation Centre in Fairlands and other MTN branches around the country.

CWU obtained permission to strike on May 6 and gave 48-hour notice to strike last Friday.

The reason of the strike action is with regard to bonuses.

On Wednesday, CWU handed a memorandum to MTN CEO Ahmad Faroukh calling for a 10% pay rise and bonus pay of 16% of their annual salaries and doing away with labour practices and labour brokers.

“Management is denying the workers their bonuses because the company did not reach their projected targets of eight percent. That is why we decided to strike.However, last year, the company did not reach their targets either, yet members still received their bonus. The company said we have a four percent guaranteed bonus yet this year there is no guarantee on that bonus,” said claims CWU national organisor Tsepo Motla.

MTN Chief Human Resources Officer Themba Nyathi said the two parties will meet today to negotiate the demands that were made.

“Although it is their constitutional right to strike, we don’t want the workers to strike forever. We want them back so we can continue to serve our customers,” he said.

Nyathi also clarified the issue about annual bonuses which is the core reason staff members decided to down tools this week.

“At MTN, the staff members received their annual four percent guaranteed bonuses in March. That did not change. However, their demands of 30% which then came down to 16% are all a misunderstanding within the striking workers. They thought all staff members received 30% and that is not the case. MTN has never given bonuses of more than eight percent to staff,” he said.

In an MTN press statement release last week, the company said it had been in discussions with its employees on reviewing its bonus model and looking at a possible guaranteed 13th cheque.

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