The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) noted Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande’s briefing on the reopening of higher learning institutions, but expressed disappointment that he had not consulted with the union.

The union said on Tuesday that the lack of consultation undermined its existence in the sector and discouraged labour peace in higher learning institutions.

Nehawu added that this further impacted on its cooperation with any imposed directives that impacted the working environment.

“…hence we are contemplating to invoke the Labour Relations Act as amended and Covid-19 relevant regulations as we shall not be fighting for our recognition after more than 25 years of our democracy,” the union said.

Meanwhile, it noted the Department of Higher Education and Training’s proposal that universities develop their own plans to allow staff to return to work instead of imposing the workplace reprioritisation under level 3 of the national lockdown which limits workplaces to 50% capacity of its floor space.

Nehawu is concerned that some institutions may recall more than 50% of workers back to campuses.

It emphasised the need for all workplaces to have functioning health and safety committees and specifically urged higher learning institutions to ensure that staff and students have adequate personal protective equipment and sanitisers and adhere to social distancing.

“Nehawu will continue to work with the department on their plans to save lives and the academic year by observing developments of the progression of the virus. We also support the call by the department to prioritise Higher Health workers with the provision of vaccines as it arrives as they are at the forefront of saving lives in the sector,” the union said.