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The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] calls on the management of the Durban University of Technology [DUT] to urgently concede to workers wage demands in order to end the current impasse at the university.

As NEHAWU, we hold a strong view that the university management especially the Vice Chancellor has been treating workers and their demands with sheer arrogance and total disdain. The management has been dragging its feet in finalising salary negotiations and this has left the national union with no option but to approach the CCMA for certificate for a strike which began this morning.

The obstinacy of the university management should be blamed for the disruption of the registration of students through their refusal to expedite the salary negotiations which were meant to be concluded in September 2017. The university currently has two payment systems in place after they forcefully implemented cost to company without any negotiations with organised labour. As NEHAWU, we reject the highhandedness of the university including unilateral restructuring at the university by management.

We support the refusal by workers not to return to work up until their demands are fully met. As NEHAWU, we believe that the 4% that the university is offering is an insult to workers who on a daily basis ensure that the university fulfils its role of providing education. Our view is that workers should vehemently reject any offer that is below Cost of Living Adjustment [COLA]. NEHAWU supports the 10% wage increase that workers are demanding. NEHAWU will never accept any increase that will subject its members and workers to slave wages.

The national union has an open door policy and will always avail itself should the employer have an improved offer. In this regard, we call on the university management to engage the national union as a matter of urgency in order to end the impasse and allow the registration of students to proceed with no hindrances. 

Issued by NEHAWU