The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has reached a one year agreement with the public broadcaster's three biggest trade unions - Bemawu, CWU and Mwasa - for a 8,07% salary increase backdated to April this year.
Trade unions took a much tougher stance to negotiate a better deal for SABC personnel than ever before in the past that led to an impasse in the negotiations last month. Possible strike action was however the last thing the SABC top management and new SABC board - currently implementing and rolling out a painful turnaround strategy for the beleaguered national broadcaster - could ironically afford.
The SABC says that the salary and additional increases like an increase in the housing allowance will hopefully ''boost employee morale'', calling the negotiations after the deadlocked wage-negotiations ''amicable''. ''The SABC board and management remain committed to providing a conducive environment, which will continue to retain and attract the best talent in the broadcasting industry,'' says the SABC in a just-issued press statement.
