Global Unions Stand with Vodacom Workers Against Anti-Worker Attack

For More Information, contact:
Jeff Miller or Candice Johnson, CWA Communications
202-434-1168, 202-415-6566 (cell) jmiller@cwa-union.org and cjohnson@cwa-union.org 

Washington, D.C. – The Communications Workers of America and telecom unions around the world are condemning the latest outrages being committed by Vodacom, Vodafone's subsidiary in South Africa, against striking South African workers.

CWA, the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center and the global Union Network International (UNI) are committed to fully supporting the fight of Vodacom workers who are determined to win recognition of their union. More than 1,000 members of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) have been on strike since July 2.

Since then, Vodacom has moved quickly in a brutal assault on workers. As the strike began, the company instituted a lockout and demanded that workers sign a "loyalty pledge" and denounce any drive for union recognition before they would be allowed to return to work.

Vodacom suspended all medical benefits for union members, an action devastating to workers with chronic health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, and who now will be unable to afford the anti-retroviral drugs that extend their lives.

The company also instigated police action against 11 worker activists; one already has been arrested and warrants issued for the other ten.

"Vodacom has chosen to wage war against its employees and has attacked their right to a union voice," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "All of us in the global union movement stand with our brothers and sisters in CWU. CWU will prevail, even against a company that is employing the worst union-busting tactics imaginable. It is no surprise to us since they also own 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, and like Verizon, will do anything to stop recognition and bargaining rights."

Philip Jennings, general secretary of UNI, said the global union would not accept the victimization of the Vodacom workers and "will be raising the matter directly" with the company.

In South Africa, employers are required to recognize the union when 30 percent of the workforce indicates support for union representation. At Vodacom, more than 1,300 of the company's 4,000 already have joined the CWU. Vodacom, instead of following the law, imported an American union-buster, Claire Lapham, to attack workers' rights.

CWU is asking that letters of support for the Vodacom workers be sent to the South African Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Communications and Vodacom Group chief executive officer Alan Knott-Craig.  For more information, go to www.cwuvodacom.blogspot.com.