Bemawu believes Labour Court ‘erred’ in SABC ruling

Bemawu believes Labour Court ‘erred’ in SABC ruling

The Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) says it believes the Labour Court had erred by dismissing its bid to have the SABC redundancy letter retracted.

SABC WORKERS
Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile

The union took the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to court, accusing it of failing to engage in a fair process regarding its restructuring plans which could see some 400 employees lose their jobs.


The Labour Appeals Court in Johannesburg handed down its ruling on Wednesday morning.


The union’s application was dismissed with costs.  


Speaking to the SABC, Bemawu’s president Hannes Du Buisson says they believe the ruling should have been in their favour.


“We are of the view that the judge has not had no proper understanding of our case and that our case should have not been dismissed. We are of the view that it is technically incorrect in law when there is admission by the SABC or there was no denial on their side.  


“Technically, the ruling should have been that the SABC must undo what they have implemented. So in terms thereof, we are going to study the judgment and we will then decide whether we are going to appeal this particular ruling, or whether we are going to proceed with the consultation process.


“But we want to see those letters reversed.”  


The SABC has suspended the retrenchment process until the end of December.


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