The SABC says it will be in continuous discussions with all the unions regarding the impending changes at SAfm.
This after labour union Bemawu said it will take legal action against the SABC, if the public broadcaster does not halt the impending changes at station without proper consultations.
The SABC appeared before Parliament’s Communications portfolio committee about two weeks ago and defended changes on SAfm which would include amongst others head-hunting presenters from other stations to boost the station audiences.
The unions maintain that the SABC can ill-afford the changes.
“We, as the SABC, are aware of the concerns raised by the unions in particular, Bemawu, we have always been engaging with them around these issues and we will continue to engage them around these issues of the SABC until we have reached finality. Whatever the finality will be. But we are clear that we are here as the SABC, we are partners, we can engage with each other directly and deal with this issues directly with them and not necessarily in the public space but directly with them,” says SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
One of the unions representing SABC employees, Mwasa says it wants a hearing with Parliament’s Communications Portfolio Committee to discuss major changes on the Radio station.
MWASA‘s Tuwani Gumani says there was no proper consultation with all stakeholders.
“The SABC was defending the decision taken at SAfm. Now we hear very recently as well that the same COO has now distanced himself from a decision he defended very firmly in Parliament. So what we have done is asked for a meeting with the Portfolio Committee on communications and have a debate with the SABC. But what we are calling for is the SABC to consult its staff, its staff representatives and consult the public.”
