SADTU NEC MEDIA STATEMENT
11 December 2012
SADTU NEC calls for the Basic Education Director General Bobby Soobrayan to be fired.
The National Executive Committee of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) held its last meeting for the year on Friday, 7 December 2012 in Kempton Park Johannesburg and outlined its 2013 programmes. 2013 will be marked by the election of sites, branch and regional representatives.
However, before the year ends, the NEC has called for the implementation of Collective Agreement No 1 of 2011 which increases the remuneration for Grade 12 markers by 100% as signed by all parties at the ELRC in 2011. The decision of the NEC is taking forward the 2012 National General Council decision to pursue the full implementation of this binding collective agreement.
On the 7th of March 2011, a gazette stipulating a 6,8% tariff increase for examination related work for 2011, was published. A month later, on 7 April 2011, the Department of Basic Education and teacher unions signed the Collective Agreement 1 of 2011. The Director General disputed the figures and claimed that they were incorrect. On 18 December 2011 the parties to the ELRC concluded an addendum to the signed Collective Agreement in order to enable the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to effect payments to the markers. The addendum required the DBE to refer the dispute for the interpretation and application of the Collective Agreement to the ELRC. The parties agreed to the addendum in the interest of the learners and the nation as a whole but later realized that the DG's intention was to withdraw from the binding agreement by misleading the Unions and the public.