Durban - Broadcasting of the rugby World Cup and the All Africa Games will continue as planned even if the wage dispute at the SABC culminates in a strike.
Paul Setsetse, the general manager of corporate communications, dismissed fears the SABC could loose broadcasting rights and revenue, saying its domestic and international partners had plans to ensure broadcasting would continue uninterrupted.
"These arrangements are long term because of the strategic positioning of the SABC to the South African media and broadcasting consumers," he said.
In the event of unprotected industrial action, or any misconduct during a protected industrial action, the SABC would use the law to protect its property, he added.
The warning comes just before media unions and the SABC management engage in last-ditch efforts to reach a settlement at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) today.
The three-month dispute could result in industrial action if today's conciliation attempt does not yield any results.
On Monday the unions rejected management's offer of 8.5 percent across-the-board increase effective from the beginning of July 2003 to the end of June 2004.
The unions also rejected a R100 a month increase on housing for scale codes 407 to 411.
Yesterday SABC management met with its board to seek a further mandate for today's meeting at the CCMA.
"The proposals that will be tabled to the unions on Friday, October 3, have the full backing and support of the SABC board. These proposals will ensure that SABC employees are paid at least at or above what the national labour market pays," Setsetse said.
The unions are demanding a 9 percent across-the-board increase and a R200 a month increase on housing for all employees.
Themba Hlatshwayo, the general secretary of the Media Workers' Association of SA, said the union would go to today's meeting prepared for any eventuality.