May 1993: SABSA’s Response to SABC Lockout Threat

ByHannes du Buisson

🗞️ Press Release (21 May 1993)

  • Trigger: SABSA received formal notice from the SABC that it intended to withhold salaries of union members following a successful industrial action ballot.
  • Union Position:• Characterized the SABC’s move as an unlawful lockout.
  • Accused the Corporation of bad-faith bargaining and aggressive tactics.
  • Reiterated its demand for a 10% salary increase, citing strong financial performance by the SABC.
  • Quoted CEO Wynand Harmse’s 1992 statement promising staff a share in future prosperity.

📑 Correspondence and Escalation

  • SABSA to SABC (21 May):• Cancelled a scheduled negotiation meeting due to the lockout notice.
  • Declared the withholding of salaries for services rendered as unlawful.
  • Announced intention to challenge the SABC’s actions in court.
  • Released members to engage in voluntary, individual industrial action from 19h30 that evening.
  • Asserted that such action would be protected under the Recognition and Procedural Agreement.
  • SABC to SABSA (21 May):• Expressed confusion over SABSA’s claim that the action was not “specifically sanctioned.”
  • Reiterated that industrial action must align with the ballot and procedural agreement.
  • Invited SABSA’s legal team to engage with SABC’s attorneys (Bowman Gilfillan Hayman Godfrey).

📜 Lockout Notice (SABC Internal Memo)

  • Issued by: Group General Manager Human Resources, D. Esterhuyse.
  • Form of Lockout:• Withholding of May salary payments to SABSA members.
  • Intended to compel acceptance of the 7.5% salary increase offer.
  • Deadline: SABSA had until 27 May to notify acceptance to avoid the lockout.
  • Tone: Regretful but firm, citing the need to protect public service continuity.

📊 Financial and Strategic Context

  • SABSA’s Position:• Rejected the 7.5% offer as inadequate given the SABC’s strong financials.
  • Cited a surplus of R71 million and low salary-to-revenue ratios.
  • Compared SABC’s inflexibility with MWASA’s 1992 settlement (15% increase).
  • Presented detailed financial analysis and alternative salary packages.
  • SABC’s Justifications:• Economic uncertainty and budget pressure.
  • Need to retain surpluses for future growth.
  • Comparisons to broader labour market trends (0–6% increases).

🧭 Historical Significance

This document captures the moment SABSA pivoted from negotiation to confrontation, asserting legal and moral opposition to coercive tactics. It reveals:

  • The fragility of trust between union and employer.
  • The strategic use of media and legal channels by both parties.
  • The role of financial transparency (or lack thereof) in wage disputes.
  • The importance of procedural safeguards in industrial action.

It also foreshadows the eventual settlement reached in June 1993, and the long-term evolution of labour relations at the SABC.

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