Wage deadlock broken after SABC agrees to 6% increase

After months of negotiations and threats of strike action, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have finally agreed to a 6% wage increase for the 2023/24 financial year.

The union, representing more than 600 workers, demanded a 9% wage or, alternatively, a 6% increase on the condition that it was backdated to April 2023. While the SABC had initially agreed to the 6% increase, it said severe financial challenges meant it could only be implemented from October of that year.

The public broadcaster finally agreed to implement the 6% wage increase this week following discussions at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA).