The SABC Management has appealed for striking staff workers to return to work on Friday. It has given striking workers an ultimatum to return to work of face possible disciplinary action.
SABC staff belonging to union Communication Workers Union (CWU) did not participate in Thursday’s strike action by members of another union, Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union (Bemawu).
Workers are demanding a 10% salary increase, which the SABC says it cannot afford due its current financial situation.
The public broadcaster has applied for government guarantee and is still awaiting the outcome.
SABC Acting CEO, Nomsa Philiso, says the strike is not protected.
“The strike is not protected. What happened was there was an attempt to get a certificate from the CCMA, but there were technicalities in getting it right. So, the strike is not protected. What we are expecting and the one thing that we want to communicate is to ask the staff that they return to their work stations because it is important that the rules of engagement are clear. And we do accept that there was confusion because the union told them that this is protected, but we are making an appeal once again to say tomorrow, they must come to work.”
Meanwhile, CWU says if its meeting with the SABC board does not yield a positive outcome for its members they are ready to strike.
SABC staff belonging to union CWU have not taken part in Thursday’s strike action by members of another union, Bemawu.
CWU withdrew its strike notice to the SABC citing legal technicalities.
Workers are demanding a 10% salary increase, which the SABC says it cannot afford due its current financial situation.
The public broadcaster has applied for government guarantee and it’s still awaiting the outcome.
CWU General Secretary Aubrey Tshabalala says their interest is for their members which are the workers at the SABC.
“Ultimately, the objective and the goal for the Communication Worker’s Union is to get what workers demand and if the SABC fails to give us something tangible, that we can take to workers for workers to consider. Obviously, we are going to embark on industrial action that is protected.”
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