CWU and SABC sign 6% wage agreement

Workers at the national broadcaster have not had a salary increase in four years.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has since welcomed the agreement.

Last month, SABC employees affiliated with the Communications Workers Union threatened to down tools after the public broadcaster rejected a proposal for a 9% wage increase. 

The Broadcasting Electronic Media and Allied Workers' Union accepted a 6% wage increase offer, but the CWU was holding out for its initial 9% demand.

Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks says the agreement was finally reached on Monday.

"This positive agreement sees SABC employees who have not had wage increases for four years, receive an above-inflation increase of 6%.  

"SABC will commence paying the increases with further engagements to take place on the payment of arrears to employees.

"This agreement provides comfort for SABC staff who have seen the value of their wages eroded over the past four years.

"The federation appreciates the efforts of Minister Gungubele and his team to address SABC staff’s legitimate frustrations," says Parks.

Parks says interventions by Gungubele affirm workers’ faith in the African National Congress-led government.

"We are hopeful that these interventions and this important wage agreement lays the foundation for labour market stability at SABC, a return to healthy collective bargaining and the recognition of workers’ fundamental right to a living wage.

"COSATU and CWU will continue to engage SABC and the government on measures to ensure SABC remains on the path to recovery and in particular the painful plight of freelance workers at SABC be addressed." 

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