Solidarity demands Media24 bosses’ pay details amid retrenchments

Trade union Solidarity says it will seek full disclosure of Media24’s strategic and financial planning, including the remuneration packages of senior management and editors, to assess the rationale behind the latest restructuring process that could affect up to 126 jobs. This follows Media24’s announcement last week that it had launched a consultation process to restructure parts of its editorial operations as it moves towards a smaller, consolidated operating model. The media outlet said the move forms part of efforts to build a more sustainable business amid continued pressure on the media industry.

According to Solidarity, the restructuring affects editorial departments and employees at several of Media24’s flagship brands, including Huisgenoot, Sarie, Netwerk24, News24, YOU and Weg!/GO!. Solidarity said it believes the cause of Media24’s operational challenges lies with senior management rather than employees who now face possible job losses through a Section 189A retrenchment process resulting from what it described as poor management decisions. “Because of this, Solidarity will ask for full disclosure of Media24’s strategic and financial planning, including the remuneration packages of members from senior management and editors, to assess the rationale behind the latest restructuring process that affects up to 126 jobs.” Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of Solidarity for the public sector, said the latest notices issued to staff represented the fourth similar retrenchment process at Media24 in the past three years – an indication, he said, that strategic goals set during previous restructuring processes had not been achieved.