STRIKE AT VODACOM SUSPENDED UNTIL JUNE 12th

COMPANY AND UNION BEGIN TALKS

Meeting by teleconference call yesterday, the Interim Vodacom National Committee (IVNC) of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) resolved to suspend industrial action against Vodacom scheduled to begin yesterday. Based on the feedback from the provinces the IVNC, accompanied by CWU President Joe Chauke, resolved to take the following position representing the majority position of union members:

THE STRIKE AGAINST VODACOM IS NOT CANCELLED, IT IS SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY TO GIVE A CHANCE TO NEGOTIATIONS. ON JUNE 12th, WORKERS WILL MEET TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. IF THEY ARE CONSIDERED NON-SATISFACTORY, THE UNION WILL RESUME ITS STRIKE ON THE 13TH OF JUNE.

President Joe Chauke called on members to not forget that this was the outcome of pressure against Vodacom, and asked members to remain ready for action. He also announced that unions representing 15 million workers around the world in Union Network International (UNI) will act in solidarity with CWU.

The individual positions from the provinces, were as follows:

KwaZulu-Natal had not been able to meet and could not attend the teleconference.

Free State Province met Tuesday evening and resolved to call for a suspension of the strike pending negotiations.

Port Elizabeth had not been able to meet, and reported that local managers are sabotaging an agreement between the company and the union. Leaders took the position that the suspension would be in order.

In Western Cape, workers at both Technocentre and Pier Place resolved to suspend the strike action pending negotiations.

In Gauteng Province, Sandton reported that union members continue to be harassed and that local management is also sabotaging talks.

Johannesburg Life Centre supported suspension for negotiations.

Midrand (Vodaworld), at a meeting on Tuesday, strongly supported continuing the strike.

All provinces reported problems in communication between the different structures and frustration about not being able to talk to members about the developments as they unfolded. The IVNC is taking steps to remediate this issue.

Furthermore, the IVNC resolved to form a negotiating committee with one representative from each province plus national officers and officials as designated by the union leadership. Negotiations are scheduled to begin on Thursday morning. This blog will post updates of negotiations as they unfold.

AMANDLA!