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The National Education Health & Allied Workers Union [NEHAWU] has ended its strike action at the University of South Africa [UNISA]. The strike started last week Thursday [January 26, 2017] after wage negotiations deadlocked at the CCMA on Monday of the same week.

After intense and protracted negotiations we agreed on the following:

• 8% wage increase for workers on the salary level P8 to P19
• 6.5% for workers on salary level P7
• 6.4% for workers on salary level P6
• 5% for workers on salary level P5

The agreed settlement also includes an 8% increase for housing allowance for workers on salary level P9 to P10. Both parties agreed that the new salary increases will be implemented on the 15 February this year.

Our agreement with UNISA also includes the fact that the “No work, no pay” principle will not apply and UNISA has instructed its legal team to cancel its courts process against striking workers.

Our members have returned with enthusiasm and vigour to work hard in resuming the academic calendar programme of 2017. In this regard, the union wishes to thank all members and workers in general of this institution for preserving unity amongst themselves, solidarity and showing commitment in pursuit of our call for decent wage project.

The unity demonstrated should teach all other universities a lesson that when workers are united nothing can defeat them. Arising from this strike, it is important for all universities to recognise and acknowledge the fact that workers constitute an integral part of the critical component at the point of production (service) hence they must be treated with dignity and respect they deserve.  

Issued by NEHAWU