Trade union Solidarity today withdrew its members, who are working at the Hatfield campus of the University of Pretoria (UP), from the workplace as the trade union considers working conditions to be adverse and the workplace unsafe. This comes in the wake of ongoing student unrest on the campus.

According to Dr Dirk Hermann, Solidarity Chief Executive, the campus is no longer safe for staff. According to Hermann, incidents that are jeopardising the safety of staff yet again occurred on campus this morning. “Although our members want to work and take pride in their work, working conditions have now deteriorated to such an extent that it is no longer safe for them to be on campus. As a trade union we consider our members’ safety in the workplace as crucial,” Hermann said.

Hermann also said that the trade union’s members would not return to work until their safety can be ensured. “By law, campus management has to act decisively to look after the interests and safety of our members in the workplace. Such obligation has been confirmed by the Supreme Court of Appeal in the case, Media24 Ltd and Another v Grobler (2005) 26 ILJ 1007 (SCA),” Hermann explained.

Issued by Solidarity