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MWASA statement on SABC negotiations

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:41

On 8 February the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) met for a second time at CCMA arbitration in Johannesburg.

MWASA has subsequently released the following statement: MWASA and the SABC settled for an immediate cessation of hostilities following the stand-off triggered by disagreements around the Turnaround Strategy processes. These highly publicised collisions dating back to 2010 culminated in the termination with immediate effect of the MWASA collective agreement on 4 August 2011.

On 8 February MWASA agreed to withdraw the dispute on condition certain rights including the authorisation of stop-order deductions were restored and a further verification process undertaken in respect of new threshold requirements. This settlement averts a potentially drawn-out litigation resulting in major losses on both parties.

The parties will convene a meeting soon to take forward the process of reconstructing principled working relations soonest possible.

MWASA thanks all the members who defended their right to choose a union of their preference and who have remained steadfast throughout the trying times over the past few months.

Independence is critical to MWASA. The right to determine and chart our progressions and develop our own ideas and views as well as the right to give voice to our concerns should and will be defended at all costs. This defines our role in the workplace and we are prepared to play this role efficiently and effectively. We have done so before and will work hard to make valuable contributions and to cooperate with all those who share our vision of an effective public broadcasting system for our deserving masses.

Our faith in the CCMA is reaffirmed. We are hopeful that this CCMA-brokered cooperation with the SABC sets the basis for progressive and fruitful engagements now and in future.

The maturity of the relationship between MWASA and the SABC will be tested and appraised on the basis of commitment to shared-values, principles of accountability, inclusive social dialogue and responsiveness to diversity of views.

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