More than 160 Communication Workers Union (CWU) members have approached MTN's human resources office to have their union membership cancelled, says Themba Nyathi, chief human resources officer of MTN SA.
"These members are very unhappy; the union sold them a dummy," says Nyathi, adding the strike, which is officially in its fourth week, has for all intents and purposes fizzled out.
The CWU embarked on strike action on 2 May after talks between it and MTN stalled over issues of annual pay hikes and bonus payouts. The union is demanding a 12% bonus pay and a 10% salary hike, but the operator says it will not budge from its final proposal. MTN is offering a 4% bonus payout in December 2015 and a second payment of 8.33% in March 2016.
While the strike has not been officially called off, Nyathi says "virtually everyone" is back at work. "There are only a few people outside [striking], but we don't know if we can call it a strike anymore.
"Many of the union members are unhappy, as the union promised the strike would not last longer than three days. But then the union failed to deliver on its promises and has forced the members into a long strike."
Nyathi also claims many of the striking members are dissatisfied with the union's stance against independent arbitration, which would have broken the deadlock between the parties. The union previously rejected MTN's call for arbitration, as it would have had to abandon the strike during this process.
MTN wants an independent arbitrator to be appointed to adjudicate on this matter. "A legally binding arbitration process is the only way that MTN and the CWU can end the current industrial action. The arbitration process will ensure that an independent party, who does not have a vested interest in this matter, can adjudicate on this matter in a fair and impartial manner," says Nyathi.
Nyathi also accused the CWU of failing to do its research and earlier involving contract workers in the strike, leading to 300 outsourced workers losing their jobs. "It was heart-wrenching how they simply took advantage of these young people."
Court interdict
The strike was dealt a further blow by the Labour Court on Friday, which issued an order interdicting and restraining striking employees and participants from coming within a 100m radius of any of MTN's premises for the duration of the industrial action, says Nyathi.
The strike has been marred by violence and intimidation since it started last month, prompting MTN to obtain an interdict barring striking employees from disrupting the company's normal operations and intimidating employees wanting to return to work.
"MTN welcomes the court ruling as it gives credence to our conviction that violence and damage to property are not legitimate avenues of expressing dissatisfaction on labour matters. We hope the CWU will abide by this second court ruling and will ensure its members comply with the court ruling."
Nyathi this morning also dismissed the threat of a secondary strike, which has failed to materialise. "As we've said before, that's just a lot of hot air. There is no secondary strike and I'm not sure how the CWU thinks it will manage to pull one off."
Despite numerous attempts, CWU president Clyde Mervin could not be reached for comment this morning.
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