MTN South Africa’s two-month strike came to an end on Thursday after the telco reached a pay deal with the Communications Workers Union (CWU).
"The agreement serves the common interests of MTN and the employees, and allows MTN to focus on its core reason for existence, which is to deliver services to its customers," said MTN South Africa’s new CEO Mteto Nyati, in a statement.
He apologised for the inconvenience the strike brought to MTN customers and thanked them for their patience.
Nyati took over from Ahmad Farroukh on Monday after the latter’s departure last week. Farroukh said his resignation was due to personal and family reasons. He was named CEO of Saudi Arabian mobile operator Mobily on the same day that Nyati took on his new role.
Meanwhile according to Reuters, MTN employees had demanded an 8% pay rise and a 16% bonus payment. When these demands were not met, they went on strike. That was at the end of May.
Under the deal reached with the CWU on Thursday, staff will receive a guaranteed 8% bonus in 2015, and a 12% guaranteed bonus in 2016.
"Members are expected to go back to work within two days after the signing of the agreement," said CWU general secretary Aubrey Tshabalala, in the report.
