SABC threatened with strike as wage dispute remains deadlocked

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has threatened a "full-blown strike" after wage negotiations for 2023/2024 year between the union and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reached a stalemate. 

In a statement this week, CWU national bargaining coordinator Nathen Bowers said the union was disappointed with the negotiations, which had continued for months. He said workers at the SABC have not received salary increases for the past three years following retrenchments.

According to Bowers, the union would accept a 9% increase - or a 6% wage increase "on the condition that it is backdated to April 2023." While the SABC accepted the 6% increase, it said it would only be effective from October 2023.