Unisa seeks amicable solutions to end violent disputes
“It’s our obligation to act on threats against the university where members threaten to rape and molest women,” vice chancellor LenkaBula said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
Unisa has recently held several meetings with National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) to “rebuild its relationship” with the trade union after five employees were dismissed due to illegal strike action.
The employees were dismissed in May after they reportedly disrupted a graduation ceremony earlier this year.
Threats were also made against vice-chancellor Puleng LenkaBula and female staff members.
Nehawu previously said it was disappointed by the decision to “unlawfully” terminate their shop stewards’ employment contracts.
Since their dismissals, the illegal protest went ahead but finally ended on July 19.
Human resources executive Dr Phumzile Dlamini said Unisa was in continuous talks with the union.
She said the meetings were aimed at ironing out the culture of violence at Unisa.
“The culture of violence does not portray the university in a good light.
“We have had meetings with Nehawu as of June, where national branch executive committee members met with Unisa management to rebuild relationships with the institution.
“It was done to strengthen our relationship with organised labour.”
On Monday, Unisa and Nehawu were in talks to iron out terms of reference and rules of engagement.
She said Nehawu had also requested space at the institution to deliberate their mandates as a union.
Dlamini said a follow-up meeting would take place on September 2 to establish a conducive working environment for the two parties.
“It’s our obligation to act on threats against the university where members threaten to rape and molest women,” Unisa vice-chancellor LenkaBula told a media briefing on Tuesday.
“We do not have any space for violence at the university and we cannot be intimidated.”
She said the terminations were not irregular; however, a dispute could be launched with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and labour courts by aggrieved parties.
“The responsibility of any management is to ensure that institutions function and are accountable to communities.”
LenkaBula said Unisa welcomed unions to be part of the institution.
“We want vibrant unions that can hold public institutions accountable to ensure success.”
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