Lotus fm staff threatens strike action

The union gave the station's management a list of grievances on 24 July containing allegations against station manager, Gail Samuels. In a subsequent media release, the SABC station's management said that “after thorough consideration”, it had decided that the union's grievances “do not have compelling substance to warrant a further investigation, disciplinary action, redeployment or removal of Samuels as demanded by BEMAWU”.

Management also said that while they recognise the union's right to strike, the SABC will apply all lawful regulations governing industrial actions and will take all necessary steps to ensure the station's operations are not interrupted.

The SABC says it also refutes allegations that Lotus fm's performance has been affected, pointing out that “according to the station's business growth analysis, the station has significantly managed to increase its 2008/09 revenue as compared to 2006/07 and 2007/08. The station has also increased its LSM 8-10 audience from 215 000 in May 2008 to 232 000 in May 2009”.