MTN responds to CWU

MTN has once again reiterated its offer to employees who have embarked on industrial action in a bid to speedily resolve the stalemate and fully restore services.

MTN maintains its offer is better than what the Communications Workers Union (CWU) demanded initially.

MTN is offering an 8% guaranteed bonus, which will be payable in two instalments. The first payment was already made in March 2015, and the second instalment will be payable in December 2015. MTN maintains this offer exceeds the original staff demand for 8% of bonus payment.

In addition, MTN has welcomed the establishment of a task team to look into payment for Sundays and public holidays, in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Says Themba Nyathi, Chief Human Resources Executive: MTN South Africa: "The current revised MTN bonus model for 2015 and beyond is comprehensive, visionary and exceeds all previous expectations and demands. This is group-wide policy affecting all 23 operations across the globe. This offer is indicative of our commitment to resolve this matter speedily and amicably, and it also demonstrates the competitiveness of our remuneration practices and our commitment to meet our statutory obligations."

Regarding the outstanding issue of MTN's non-recognition of the CWU, Nyathi welcomed the audit of CWU membership to ascertain whether it meets the required 30% membership threshold to qualify for recognition.

"MTN always has and is prepared to listen and implement decisions that are in the best interests of staff members, shareholders and our customers," says Nyathi.

One of the demands of the CWU was for a 10% salary increase. Nyathi points out that salary increases are based on individuals meeting their performance targets and will not be applied in a blanket and uniform manner to scores of employees.

"MTN will not replace its performance management system with a model that does not recognise personal contribution to performance. Any staff member can achieve any increase percentage if a specific performance target is met. This is group-wide policy affecting all 23 operations across the globe," says Nyathi.

On the matter of conversion of non-permanent staff members to permanent employees, Nyathi stresses that outsourced service employees are not temporary employees and any outsourced services need to comply with Section 197 of the Labour relations Act.

"In the interests of resolving all matters of mutual interest, MTN hereby proposes that an independent binding arbitrator be appointed to adjudicate the matters at hand. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration or the Labour Court can facilitate such binding final arbitration in a fair, impartial manner. MTN undertakes to abide by the findings of such an arbitrator as final and binding."