IOL Reporter|Published10 minutes agoICTU slams SACTWU over ‘selective activism’ and urges protection of media jobs

The union argued that ongoing efforts to challenge media companies through prolonged legal and corporate campaigns must be weighed against their potential impact on vulnerable workers and newsroom sustainability. As South Africa marks Women’s Month,the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU) has raised serious concerns over a perceived double standard in organised labour,strongly criticising the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) for its role in legal and other actions surrounding the Sekunjalo Group and the independent media sector. the Information Communication and Technology Union (ICTU) has raised serious concerns over a perceived double standard in organised labour, strongly criticising the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) for its role in legal and other actions surrounding the Sekunjalo Group and the independent media sector.

The ICTU,a SAFTU affiliate,accused SACTWU of “selective activism” and questioned what it described as “selective solidarity,” particularly where actions against a media organisation could potentially place the jobs and livelihoods of journalists and other media workers at risk. accused SACTWU of “selective activism” and questioned what it described as “selective solidarity, ” particularly where actions against a media organisation could potentially place the jobs and livelihoods of journalists and other media workers at risk. ICTU stated it is increasingly facing the difficult reality of defending workers not only against employers but also against the actions of fellow trade unions,which it believes may risk jobs in pursuit of other interests.

The union also revealed that SACTWU has allegedly ignored previous requests from ICTU for trade-union-to-trade-union discussions regarding the legal disputes. ICTU maintained that disputes involving workers,companies,and organised labour should be addressed through meaningful engagement before actions are taken that could have serious consequences for employment.The union reiterated its call for a “genuine trade-union-to-trade-union dialogue” on the matter,emphasising that solidarity should be demonstrated through actions that protect all workers.