SABC, unions stalemate over retrenchments

"Is public knowledge"

"This thing is very simple and is public knowledge. We all know that there was a public outcry about the SABC having too many employees. And we told Parliament that we will let others go," Kganyago said.

"That's why we sent that letter to the unions informing them of our intention of reducing headcount, which will not consist of forced retrenchments. And we said to them, "let's sit down and discuss this matter so that we can agree on the terms about this." Unfortunately, they took the letter and ran to the media."

The SABC letter (dated 1 July 2011) angered the unions, which threatened to take the matter to 'another level', including seeking a court interdict and approaching the CCMA.

Congested management

After MWASA and BEMAWU, the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) this week sent a letter to the SABC, describing the contents of its 1 July letter 'highly unacceptable' and 'deceiving', and lashing out at Auckland Park for continuing to operate with a congested management, wanting to getting rid of employees, while continually employing new staff.

The CWU letter, signed by general secretary Gallant Roberts, said: "The SABC is continually employing new employees, sometimes not following recruitment procedures at all. And while you raised costs issues, are you not adding to these costs and target[ing] those employees who have been part of this corporation and made it what it is, for many years?

"Filling new positions in whatever way cannot be separated from the intention to retrench employees."

'Some management positions are very critical'

Kganyago said: "Some management positions, for instance head of news, COO, CFO and CEO, are very critical to the organisation and it's just understandable that we employ people for those positions. As for congested management as claimed, we are dealing with that problem by not renewing their contracts once they are expired."

When they are making allegations, they should be substantiated, Kganyago said, adding that the public broadcaster had no intention of talking directly to employees without first informing the unions, as a previous meeting with the 55+ year-old employees to discuss their fate turned sour, and was not well-received by the unions.

Kganyago said the SABC has not broken any promise to the unions and is still willing to talk to them about the reduction headcount.

Unconditional moratium

The CWU called for an unconditional moratorium on filling any vacant or new positions within the SABC until all parties hold discussions with the SABC board and executive management.

"If we don't agree on the terms, there will be blood on the floor over these retrenchments," a source close to the unions said today, without elaborating.