JOHANNESBURG- The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) ‘put the record straight’ after it was reported that 26 staff members in their licence collection department were fired last week Wednesday.
Media Workers’ Association of South Africa general secretary Tuwani Gumani confirmed that the workers were dismissed after embarking on a go-slow three months ago, despite obtaining a CCMA certificate that allowed industrial action.
Mmoni Seapolelo SABC spokesperson however said employees had committed “an act of misconduct” when they embarked on a “unprotected strike action”.
Seapolelo added, “Consequently, they were subjected to an internal disciplinary process, which was in compliance with the requirements of procedural and substantive fairness.”
According to the City Press report, they said disgraced SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng put the licence collection agents, originally outsourced by global company Teleresources, onto three-year contracts.
Gumani speaking to News24 said, “The workers signed the contract because they thought that they were getting more money. In the end they signed on to worse working conditions,”
Gumani also claimed that employees did not receive any benefits and received small increases.
Gumani said, “That disciplinary process they are talking about is a farce. The chairperson of the hearing did not show up. Next thing, the employees receive letters telling them that they have been ‘relieved of their duties’ and they couldn’t provide any reasons,”
“Legally, what they should have done, is either implement no-work-no-pay or a lock-out. Their process is irregular.”
The matter is going to the CCCMA, Gumani added, “When we explained what had happened they were shocked. We are going to make submissions to them this week,”
“We will make our submissions and the committee will put pressure on the board, who will in turn put pressure on the executive. We will either wait for this process to unfold or approach the CCMA.”
Photo Credit- TV with Thinus
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