Cape Radio employees down tools

By Candice Jones for Telkom
Johannesburg, 24 May 2007

Solidarity members at Telkom's Cape Radio, formerly known as Milnerton Maritime Radio, went on strike yesterday, following deadlocked talks between the trade union and Telkom.

"Our remedies are exhausted and we are left with no other choice than to strike," says Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans.

"It is unfortunate that the dispute had to be taken to this extreme and that it may endanger shipping in South African waters, but the blame rests squarely with Telkom, who stubbornly refused to negotiate a settlement,"

The strike is intended to oppose an amended duty roster compiled by Telkom, which was implemented in 2006. The roster affects employees' benefits and remuneration.

"Our demands have not changed," says Kleynhans. "We are still asking the employer to reinstate the old shift system which was changed unilaterally by the employer last year."

Earlier this year, Telkom averted strike action by agreeing to investigate the complaints lodged by the union. However, Kleynhans says the proposals submitted by Telkom on Tuesday to resolve the issue were unsatisfactory.

Lock-out

"They are saying they will look at the structure of the employees' benefits and packages. But we need a clear decision on the remuneration."

He says the changes in the duty roster resulted in a financial burden for Cape Radio employees.

Kleynhans says Telkom also decided to lock out Solidarity members yesterday afternoon, which means 39 members out of a total staff complement of 42 will not perform their duties.

"Telkom says it will just replace union members with junior employees from other divisions," he says. "The employer is playing a dangerous game."

Cape Radio monitors shipping in and out of SA's coastal areas, as well as all distress signals that occur between SA, South America and Australia.

The union says the strike will last indefinitely. "The company has forced this strike on us, but hopefully they will see we are serious and come out with a solution," concludes Kleynhans.

Telkom had not commented at the time of publication.