Dot Field , spokeswoman for the company, said its business and services were not disrupted in any way.

CWU spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithebe said workers downed tools after negotiations between the two parties had broken down last Monday.

The union is protesting for better working conditions and recognition of the union.

Sithebe said Vodacom was attempting to "do away with the union" by arguing that it did not hold a membership of 30 percent of Vodacom employees.

"We have reached the required threshold," he said.

Field said that of Vodacom's 4,302 employees only 3 percent participated in the strike which commenced on Monday.

She said the CWU still did not hold 30 percent employee representation at Vodacom as agreed upon by both parties at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in 1999.

She said the company was currently under audit by the Department of Communications and the figures were "not at all" 30 percent representative.

The CWU said other workers were expected to join the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Picketing and demonstrations were expected to take place at the Midrand, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town Vodacom offices.