CWU VODACOM STRIKE BULLETIN FOR MARCH 9, 2007

1. COSATU AFFIRMS BACKING FOR VODACOM WORKERS

2. GAUTENG MEMBERS: “PAINT VODACOM RED ON MARCH 14”

3. EVERY WORKER TO ATTEND PICKETS ON MONDAY

4. VODACOM IS DESPERATE AS WORKERS ADVANCE

1. COSATU AFFIRMS BACKING FOR VODACOM WORKERS

In a statement yesterday, COSATU reaffirmed its’ support for Vodacom workers:

Vodacom

The COSATU Central Executive committee has already declared its support the Communications Workers Union (CWU), which has formally notified Vodacom about planned industrial action to begin on 12 March, in support of its demand for recognition.

We note that the CWU is also contemplating an application in terms of section 69 of the LRA, but share their hope that strike action may not be necessary if the parties meet and resolve the dispute amicably.

We condemn management for:

a.. Shifting the goal posts and forcing the union to seek the CCMA's intervention to compel the company to recognise the union, which workers have been joining in numbers.
b.. The use of disciplinary hearings and the cancellation of union membership of members of the Interim Committee that constituted the CWU's delegation to the CCMA,
c.. The victimisation of former MWASA members who have migrated to CWU, through dual deductions, although the CWU forms states the intentions and wishes of the employee,
d.. The illegal termination of union membership
e.. Unlawful lock-outs,
f.. The unlawful ill treatment of CWU members who were coming from a team building exercise.

COSATU will back the CWU to the hilt in their fight for recognition.

Read the full statement here.

2. GAUTENG MEMBERS: “PAINT VODACOM RED ON MARCH 14”

At a meeting last night, Vodacom CWU members in Gauteng province affirmed that they will “paint Vodacom red on March 14^th.” The church in Midrand was so full that many members had to stand. Members discussed the upcoming strike actions and received a report on the constant growing of membership. We affirmed our commitment to sign up another worker in order to strengthen ourselves as we enter the industrial actions of next week, and warned each other of the dirty tricks and lies that Vodacom will try in an attempt to weaken us.

3. EVERY WORKER TO ATTEND PICKETS ON MONDAY

On Monday, March 12^th, these are the following industrial action activities:

a) Western Cape. Members will be picketing outside both Pier Place and Technocentre from 8 am to 9 am and again at 12 noon.

b) Joburg Life. Members will be picketing outside at 12 noon.

c) Sandton. Members are requested to join the comrades at Joburg Life at 12 noon.

d) Vodaworld. Pickets will occur from 7 am to 8 am and again at 12 noon.

Remember that as per our strike certificate, this is a fully legal and protected action. Please arrive early or leave work if you have already started to join the pickets. Also keep in mind that the company is desperate and will attempt all sorts of provocations. Show discipline and do not fall for Vodacom tricks.

4. VODACOM IS DESPERATE AS WORKERS ADVANCE

As we have predicted on repeated occasions, Vodacom is sparing no effort in its attempts to confuse, mislead and provoke workers. This does not surprise us anymore.

We are honoured that Vodacom has attempted to block members from reading this blog. It is an honour to know that Vodacom is so afraid of our words that they are resorting to banning and censorship. However, we are also happy to inform comrades that, as they can read, this is ineffective and has only helped raise our spirits.

We are noticing the constant series of desperate measures that the company is resorting to. Impersonating CWU officials (and we do thank them for the free advertising), harassing leaders with nonsensical warnings, forwarding mountains of senseless documents that only lawyers could hope to understand.

It is too late for lies and dirty trickery. The only solution, as Vodacom will have to recognise sooner rather than later, is to sit down and negotiate with us recognition and subsequently improvement of working conditions.

No matter how many flyers Vodacom distributes, how many warnings they issue, how many meetings they call, how many small concessions Vodacom makes, we will only settle for justice.