Johannesburg - Images of tyres burning outside MTN offices have emerged on social media as workers affiliated with the telecoms company are in a second week of strikes.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) wants MTN to hike call centre and franchise workers' bonus pay and annual salaries. Earlier this week, Fin24 reported that the striking workers are holding out for a salary increase of 8% after revising their demand for 10%. The workers also want a 12% bonus, which was revised from their earlier demand of 16%.
The union and MTN are still in talks about higher pay as the strike has entered its ninth day.
But the situation is becoming more tense as pictures emerged on social media on Friday showing how burning tyres have been placed in front of the telecom company’s entrances to its Johannesburg head office.
CWU president Clyde Mervin was not available for comment on Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, MTN has denied reports that its "security personnel at its head office has subjected protesting employees to derogatory and racial slurs". But the company says it has deployed extra security personnel as a precautionary measure to safeguard non-striking staff.
MTN has also hit out at strikers who "burn tyres on MTN premises, intimidate non-striking employees and barricade the main exits".
“This unruly conduct is in violation of the picketing agreement that MTN signed with the Communications Workers Union (CWU). MTN will be taking stern measures to safeguard its employees and protect its right to conduct business and offer services to its customers in line with its license obligations,” said Themba Nyathi, chief human resource officer for MTN South Africa.
Last week, MTN launched an urgent interdict against CWU at the Johannesburg Labour Court to stop the union from blocking entrances to the telecom company’s offices and from intimidating staff.
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The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall. #Che #MTNstrike @MTNza pic.twitter.com/j7D1CeGa2V
— CWU (@CWU_RSA) May 29, 2015
This doesn't look peaceful @RediTlhabi #mtnstrike pic.twitter.com/Lz6Wp8K2pt
— IG: Davemohapi (@davemohapi) May 29, 2015
Angry employees outside MTN 14th Avenue #MTNstrike @ewnreporter @702JohnRobbie pic.twitter.com/kWRLq7ntSP
— Zah Masuku (@zahmasuku) May 29, 2015
Saps shooting rubber bullets and teargas MTN strike pic.twitter.com/7O5gdqA9ft
— SNIPER, Romeo2 (@AAADSafs) May 29, 2015
MTN will never be the same #mtnstrike pic.twitter.com/IdN73GgEvW
— PapaJnr (@KingJwingy) May 29, 2015