Staff at the public broadcaster demands a 10% salary increment, amongst others.
The strike action by the Broadcasting‚ Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) will go ahead as planned at the SABC‚ while negotiations continue between SABC management‚ the Communications Workers’ Union and Bemawu.
Parties met on Wednesday in an effort to find common ground.
Bemawu said it has agreed to meet the SABC on Thursday morning to negotiate.
According to Kaizer Kganyago, SABC’s spin-doctor:” Those that are not going on strike must come to work as per their condition of employment. We are saying those that are going on strike must do that in a dignified manner and not intimidate those that are coming to work.”
Kganyago said the principle of no work‚ no pay would apply.
This is to allay fears that the normal programming will be affected, promised Kganyago.
“We want to say that as SABC we want to commit to the public out there that our programmes will go on air as planned‚ both on radio and television, he said.
According to the Unions, “the strike is also about unresolved grievances‚ unprocedural restructuring‚ abuse by management‚ unilateral change to shift rosters‚ unilateral change to terms and conditions of employment‚ abuse of staff in that freelancers are working for years now without any medical aid‚ pension‚ leave‚ sick leave and other benefits. The strike is about the attitude of management in dealing with staff.”
At the time of publishing the strike was still on and no word was forthcoming on latest negotiations.
