The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has taken to social media to direct its vitriol at MTN management as the strike against the telecommunications operator enters its second week.
The CWU’s Facebook page has become a battleground for launching scathing attacks on MTN.
The union has also accused MTN of using cellphone signal “scramblers” in its boardroom during negotiations, preventing it from updating staff on negotiations.
Nevertheless, it promised to make a recording available on its SoundCloud channel in order to “keep everyone in the loop”.
The union also posted a picture of former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi speaking to strikers on Friday outside MTN’s head office in Johannesburg and attributing the words “the real criminal is in there” to him. The union said “#FarroukhMustFall or else we intensify the #MTNstrike”. Ahmad Farroukh is MTN South Africa CEO.
The union urged those workers who received threats from management to forward their names to the CWU, calling this a “coward[ly] act”.
The union also called on its members not to blockade entrances and gates to MTN’s premises, which would be in breach of an agreement reached with the company ahead of the strike action being launched.
The union had a scathing message for Farroukh: “A special request to the arrogant Ahmad Farrukh (sic) we urge you to avail yourself or you leaving us with no option but to intensify the strike!”
CWU general secretary Aubrey Tshabalala called on MTN to stop the casualisation of workers and for the removal of “army general Ahmed Farroukh as a CEO of the company”.
MTN South Africa chief human resources executive Themba Nyathi said in a statement on Monday afternoon that the company now wants to bring in an independent arbitrator to resolve the impasse. MTN committed to abide by the findings of the arbitrator.
“The current revised MTN bonus model for 2015 and beyond is comprehensive, visionary and exceeds all previous expectations and demands … [and] demonstrates the competitiveness of our remuneration practices and our commitment to meet our statutory obligations.” — © 2015 NewsCentral Media