Union receives support in its fight against SABC

BEMAWU has given written notice of its intention to bring an urgent application in the Labour Court to reverse the SABC's planned 'turnaround' and will seek a court order compelling the SABC to consult 'properly' with the union. The union said it had taken this action, because SABC had "failed to acknowledge receipt of our previous correspondence," despite repeated requests.

SASFED, which represents thousands of people from nine industry organisations in the independent television and film industry believes that the SABC has consulted neither the independent industry, nor the unions, regarding its new operating model and 'turnaround initiatives'.

"SABC continuing in its old ways"

Vice chair Marc Schwinges, said that SASFED, after canvassing its members, "Unanimously supported," the BEMAWU initiative. Schwinges said that the federation had also unsuccessfully attempted to engage the SABC about its turnaround strategy earlier this year, but the SABC had reneged on its commitments.

"It's very frustrating for us as both taxpayers and content providers to see the SABC continuing in its old ways. We had thought that with a new board, the SABC would attempt to engage with the industry at all levels to try and provide a workable solution to enable it to meet its public broadcaster mandate. Many of our members have seen their companies go to the wall and many jobs lost in the independent industry, due to the SABC's short sighted attitudes. This cannot continue," he said.

"Everyone is trying to help, we all want to see a viable broadcaster telling authentic South African stories, yet it continues to destroy itself. We hope that the union's actions will help bring the SABC to its senses," he concluded.