Cosatu backs CWU Vodacom in strike 17-07-07

 

COSATU backs CWU against Vodacom

The Congress of South African Trade Unions pledges its full support to the Communications Workers Union (CWU) in their dispute with Vodacom. Workers have been on strike since 2 July in support of a totally legitimate demand for Vodacom to recognise the CWU as a collective bargaining agent and a
representative of its workers. There can be no justification for the employer's stubborn refusal to give CWU full recognition.

As a result of this refusal to recognise the union, workers are subjected to disciplinary hearings without proper or fair representation in the workplace. Some even appear before disciplinary hearings without any representation. That is why the union is rightly demanding that Vodacom recognise shop stewards elected by the workers.

Workers must be given leave for trade union activities. At present workers who represent fellow employees in disciplinary or grievance hearings are being penalised for not meeting their performance goals, which then affects their bonuses. Some are even expected to represent workers on their days off and end up losing pay.

COSATU therefore backs the CWU's demand that elected shop stewards be given time off for the performance of their duties as trade union representatives. Vodacom is a big, highly profitable company; it has no excuse for not meeting these reasonable demands from its workers. The federation wishes the CWU success in its strike and stands ready to respond positively to any request for assistance.