Telecommunications group Telkom’s restructuring plans are so extensive that it would likely filter to junior levels and well beyond the company’s 2 600 job-cut mark, trade union Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp said on Wednesday.

The current process of management restructuring would be “so extensive” that it would be “impossible” not to stretch the restructure to junior levels after it has been implemented.

“Solidarity has reason to suspect that the number of posts that will be affected by Telkom’s current restructuring will eventually be far greater than the figure of close to 2 600 that the telecommunications giant has announced so far,” he said in a statement.

Telkom was currently considering how to stabilise the financially troubled business and set it back on a path to profitability.

CEO Sipho Maseko previously warned that the company would need to cut R1-billion in expenses each year for the next five years.

“The end result will in all probability be that Telkom will have to review its entire personnel structure following the management restructuring process,” Croucamp noted, agreeing that “drastic changes” were required to ensure Telkom’s financial viability.

But such a process should be carried out in a responsible way and be based on a comprehensive long-term strategy.

Solidarity also accused Telkom of continued unwillingness to consult and communicate with employees and trade unions regarding the new post structure.

Telkom punted Solidarity’s views as speculation and sensationalism, noting that employee engagement was extensive and invitations to the mass consultations kicked off last week were extended to the impacted trade unions. Another consultation was expected this week.

“We have already obtained a legal opinion, [and are] considering contesting the process formally, mainly because Telkom hasn’t given us sufficient time and information to enable us to determine the extent to which the retrenchments will affect our members,” Croucamp concluded.