Massive industrial action is looming that could severly disrupt the operations of the SABC as all three unions within the South African public broadcaster - Bemawu, CWU and Mwasa - are threatening possible industrial action as a unified labour front after failed wage negotiations.
The SABC and the three unions - Bemawu, CWU and Mwasa together representing thousands of SABC workers - are deadlocked after failed wage negotiations of late April and early May restarted yesterday outside Pretoria but ended again abruptly after one day. The unions are accusing the broadcaster of witholding financial information about the SABC's position where upper management has started the beleaguered corporation's turnaround strategy without consulting these unions.
The unions are now threatening industrial action, saying that the SABC's acting group CEO, Robin Nicholson ''avoided addressing the negotiating forum at all instances and only sent his juniors who had difficulty in speaking to the financials of the corporation.'' Last night - the day wage negotiations resumed in Pretoria, Robin Nicholson attended the lavish gala dinner in Cape Town of the minister of communications, Roy Padayachie, where Robin Nicholson was praised with the turnaround of the SABC.
The SABC is offering workers a 7,07% increase across the board as well as an increase in a housing allowance, with the unions demanding a 10,5% increase.
''The unions believe the SABC had not shown commitment throughout the protracted negotiation process and had negotiated in bad faith,'' says Bemawu, CWU and Mwasa. ''Litigation and a subsequent strike action are real possibilities.''
