The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), supported by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in Gauteng, has handed over a memorandum of demands to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) following a picket outside the public broadcaster’s Auckland Park headquarters.
The demonstration was sparked by the SABC’s decision to de-register the CWU as a recognised union within the organisation. Protesters called for the reinstatement of dismissed and suspended shop stewards, improved pay, and a full investigation into key management decisions.
The unions also urged government to speed up the processing of the SABC Bill and finalise a sustainable long-term funding model for the financially strained broadcaster.
CWU provincial leader Sthembiso Mkhwanazi said one of their biggest concerns is the partial implementation of the 2023–2024 back-pay agreement.
“We call for an investigation into unilateral decisions by management, including Group HR, to implement only 50% of the back pay that was fought for and signed between the SABC and some members of the CWU task team,” he said. “We demand to know who, on behalf of CWU, authorised the 50% deal for the 2023 back pay.”
The SABC is expected to respond to the memorandum within the stipulated timeframe.