Johnathan Paoli
THE SABC said it noted Cosatu’s concerns over ongoing salary negotiations between the national broadcaster and its employees.
Cosatu said it was concerned that the SABC had proceeded to implement salary adjustments despite the matter not being resolved at the CCMA.
The dispute over salary adjustments involves employees affiliated to the Communications Workers Union (CWU), the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) members and non-unionised workers.
Cosatu spokesperson, Matthew Parks said the latest action by the broadcaster undermined collective bargaining.
“Management needs to come and engage in good faith and bring back stability to the once proud SABC to ensure workers’ voices are being heard and their legitimate grievances are being addressed. Employees need to be treated with respect,” Parks said.
However, the SABC spokesperson, Mmoni Seapolelo has disputed Cosatu’s assertion that the public broadcaster has undermined collective bargaining, and said that due to the private nature of the CCMA, the broadcaster was unable to comment on the process.
“It is important to note that the negotiations have been in good faith and hence the other union accepted the offer which was implemented accordingly. CWU on the other hand exercised its right to declare a dispute which is currently before the CCMA,” Seapolelo said.
The salary dispute comes after the SABC declared an investigation into freelance contracts that have been deemed irregular, corrupt, and fraudulent, following reports of between 20 and over a 1000 ‘ghost workers’ drawing a salary from the national broadcaster.
Group Executive of News, Moshoeshoe Monare said the investigation had already resulted in the resignation of a manager with immediate effect, while other staff members were currently undergoing disciplinary hearings.
INSIDE POLITICS
