TELKOM has expressed disappointment at the unwillingness of unions to reach an agreement regarding severance packages to employees.

The communications company said it had offered Voluntary Severance and Voluntary Early Retirement Packages to Communication Workers Union members affected by the Section 197 process currently underway.

This move follows after discussions between Telkom and CWU reached a deadlock.

According to Telkom, the offer was two-fold. Firstly, Telkom offered all unions the opportunity to access Voluntary Severance Packages (VSP) and Voluntary Early Retirement Packages (VERP) for their affected members.

Secondly, Telkom offered to extend the transfer date for exiting Telkom employees from 31 March, to 30 April.

SACU and Solidarity are said to have accepted the offer but CWU declined the offer. As CWU had withheld their majority consensus, the offer was withdrawn from all unions.

“While Telkom respects the right of our people to choose to be affiliated to a union, we also know that union members are firstly Telkom employees. Our affected employees have made it very clear that they want the option of a VSP or VERP in making their final decision.

“This has repeatedly been communicated by many of the affected employees to their Telkom line managers”, said Telkom spokesman, Jacqui O’Sullivan.

He said Telkom was disappointed that CWU had been unwilling to sign a variance agreement.

“However, we believe that deadlocked negotiations should not negatively impact the options available to our affected employees.” The company has been meeting unions regarding the issue.

Its last meeting ended on Monday evening with no progress having been made.

Source : CAJ News Agency