The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) continues in its fight to have a collective agreement signed between teacher unions and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in 2011 and unilaterally withdrawn by (DBE) without consulting with the unions, be reinstated. The Agreement would cause exam markers to receive tariff increases.
On the 26th of March 2013, SADTU with other teacher unions took the DBE to the Labour Court in Johannesburg arguing that the withdrawal of the agreement by the DBE showed disregard of the collective bargaining process and worker rights. The Labour Court reinstated the Agreement, gave a 14 days notice and set the matter for a full trial from 12 until 15 August. The Courts decision regarding the Agreement would be pending until the outcome of the trial.
The DBEs decision to unilaterally withdraw the agreement was one of the main reasons for SADTUs demand for the Director General Bobby Soobrayans and Minister Angie Motshekgas resignations which was marked by work-to-rule, marches and pickets.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat