The SABC has given labour unions a final opportunity to make written submissions.
The SABC has failed to reach an agreement with unions over the retrenchment of 600 employees. Consultations facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) came to nought on Friday and, while SABC is now able to unilaterally implement retrenchments, it has given labour unions a final opportunity to make written submissions.
According to the Sowetan, which spoke to acting SABC spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo, the SABC had gone the extra mile by affording unions seven CCMA-facilitated sessions, while the Labour Relations Act prescribed just four sessions in 60 days.
“The Section 189 process is concluded and the consulting parties have not made any submissions on their alternatives within the Section 189 consultation process, in the interest of the possible affected employees. The SABC is allowing the consulting parties to make one last written submission regarding proposals to the structure or alternatives for the SABC to consider,” said the spokesperson.
EWN reported recently that trade unions representing SABC workers on Tuesday slammed the public broadcaster for pushing ahead with a skills audit and retrenchment. The unions also criticised the SABC for abandoning talks between the SABC and the unions about retrenchment. The Broadcasting Electronic Media and Allied Workers Union and the Communications Workers Union aired their grievances with Members of Parliament.
