SABC staffers and the trade unions, Bemawu and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) went on strike, demanded 10% from the SABC board and the public broadcaster's top management.
Bemawu agreed to the SABC's latest wage offer of a 4.8% increase, following the previous 0% increase that was raised to 4.5% but was still rejected by the unions who mobilised their members for a 2 days trike on Thursday and Friday.
The 4.8% salary increase is only for Bemawu members and only for Bemawu members in specific salary categories.
The 4.8% salary increase is backdated to July 2017 according to the agreement between the SABC and Bemawu, and will be paid from January 2018.
The SABC is also not allowed to deduct money from Bemawu SABC staffers who went on strike on Thursday and Friday.
The CWU has not yet accepted and signed the wage offer, waiting on members' approval on the new settlement.
On Saturday there was still no public statement from the SABC.
The beleaguered and cash-strapped SABC that is struggling to
pay its ballooning debt, previously offered a 0% but is now offering a 4.5%
increase backdated to October 2017.
The country’s auditor-general called the SABC “commercially
insolvent”, with Africa’s largest pubcaster that end-September posted yet
another annual loss of R977 million ($69 million). Meanwhile the SABC is
awaiting yet another government bailout since its last one in 2009.
The public broadcaster, again hovering on the brink of financial
collapse, asked the country’s parliament for a new R3 billion ($212 million) in
order to remain afloat, although South Africa’s treasury has not given any
indication yet whether it will approve another bailout.
On Thursday SABC staffers affiliated to the trade unions Bemawu and the CWU, as well as others, took part in public protests at the SABC's headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, as well as provincial offices throughout the country. They did the same on Friday.
UPDATE Saturday 16 December 2017 14:20 - The SABC has now issued a short statement.
"Bemawu has now officially called off their strike action," says SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
"The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is currently seeking concurrence on the offer with their members and they will revert to us when that process is completed."
Nomsa Philiso, acting SABC CEO describes the labour salary hike negotiations as "quite tough as all parties had to find each other in reaching a solution".
"With the organisation dealing with a financial situation which is not ideal, we have had to strike a balance between taking care of employees, which is a priority and ensuring we do not put further stress on the finances of the SABC."
"The SABC expressed its gratitude to all managers and staff members who kept the ship afloat during the protest action."
"Their efforts were well appreciated as they helped the SABC deliver on its mandate to the millions of South Africans who rely on SABC radio and television services to be well informed on various societal matters".
