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Johannesburg - The Labour Court on Wednesday ordered Telkom to halt its Section 189 process which deals with planned retrenchments at the company.
Recap: Read the live updates as it happened
Telkom announced last month that it plans to cut over 4 000 jobs and outsource over 3 000 staff as part of an enterprise development programme.
Solidarity took Telkom to the Labour Court in Johannesburg this week because the trade union alleged that the telecoms company has not disclosed enough information about the job cuts to unions.
However, Judge David Gush on Wednesday morning ruled in favour of Solidarity.
“The first respondent (Telkom) is ordered to withdraw its (Section 189) notices,” said Gush.
Gush also ordered that Telkom must pay Solidarity’s legal costs.
Marius Croucamp of Solidarity told Fin24 that the Labour Court decision is a "victory for workers".
Telkom had organised consultations on the restructuring with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday. However, the court has ordered that this can no longer take place.
"The CCMA (meeting) cannot proceed," said Croucamp.
Meanwhile, Telkom spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan said the company is disappointed with the court’s decision but will respect the ruling.
"While today is a temporary delay, it does not stop the restructuring of Telkom," she said.
"Once the dispute is resolved we will continue with the restructuring of Telkom," said O'Sullivan.
"The restructuring of Telkom is a business imperative,” she said.
