Telkom suspends job cuts for the moment

Solidarity's Marius Croucamp says that Telkom has agreed to suspend its retrenchment plans while consultations between unions and management are finalised. Image: Twitter

Solidarity spokesman Marius Croucamp said Telkom's legal team met Solidarity's lawyers and agreed to suspend appointments‚ placements and retrenchments in the current process.

Solidarity has opposed the restructuring plans‚ which included cutting a significant chunk of Telkom's 19‚000 workforce‚ saying the process would be implemented on the basis of race and quota legislation.

Telkom‚ which is looking to save R1bn a year from restructuring and job cuts has rejected Solidarity's claim that race was the only factor considered in the process.

Croucamp said a proper consultation process would begin on this week and the process would be facilitated by an external consultant.

"We are saying let's take one step back‚ look at the process and consult properly. We have looked at everything to assess impact and ensure that once a decision is made, the action we take is the best we could have come up with‚" Croucamp said.

He said further input was needed in the process‚ which he claimed had significant shortcomings.

"We need to understand Telkom's business strategy and ensure that they disclose enough to put everything into context. We need a proper understanding of the new management structure as well as the criteria for selections," he said.

Croucamp wants Telkom to look at alternatives to retrenchments and possible retraining plans.

"We are not fighting an employers' right to retrench. We are merely saying everything must be done properly. All of the alternatives must be considered‚" he said.