CWU seeks parliament’s help in SABC wage dispute

The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) has called on Parliament’s Portfolio Committee
on Communications and Digital Technologies to intervene in an escalating wage dispute with
the SABC. The union warns that a potential full-blown strike at the public broadcaster could
disrupt coverage of the upcoming general elections.

Negotiations between the two parties have reached an impasse. The CWU insists on
accepting the SABC’s 6% wage increase offer but demands it be backdated to April 2022.
The SABC has thus far rejected backdating the raise.

“If CWU goes on strike in the next couple of days it will hamper this general elections
campaign that is in full swing right now,” said Nathan Bowers, the union’s National
Bargaining Coordinator. “The SABC workers have no alternative but to bring the SABC to its
knees during this election campaign if they are not afforded an increase over three years
and treated properly.”

Bowers expressed regret that SABC viewers could face disruptions but said workers felt they
had no choice after fruitless negotiations. The CWU has now appealed to Parliament’s
oversight committee to step in and help resolve the labour dispute before a crippling strike
occurs.