The employees’ union of Lebanon’s cell phone operators, Alfa and Touch, has decided to extend the ultimatum set for the management of both operators until May 19 at noon.
This delay should allow the two companies to prepare executive mechanisms to meet the employees’ demands, including salary readjustments. If these demands are not met, the employees will go on an open strike.
This decision follows consultations held between the union, Caretaker Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Corm, and Alfa and Touch management, which went on until very late on May 16.
In an early May 17 statement, the union emphasized the importance of maintaing “permanent communication and constructive dialogue between employees and company management to reach mutually agreeable solutions.”
On May 15, the union had issued an ultimatum to the management of Alfa and touch, giving them 24 hours to readjust their salaries’ real value and said that failure to comply with their demands would lead to stop working.
The union president, Nabil Youssef, told This is Beirut that after a series of meetings and consultations with company management last week, “a decisive meeting was scheduled for this week”. However, the meeting was postponed.
The union then requested Alfa and Touch to meet their demands before the meeting with Corm that is scheduled for May 24.
According to a source close to Alfa and Touch employees, the issue revolves around a 5% increase in their share of fresh dollars. They are seeking an adjustment from 35% to 40% of the total salary. Considering the profits generated by the two operators, the employees believe that this increase is entirely feasible.
On April 27, Alfa and Touch employees had already threatened to go on strike.
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