The University of South Africa (UNISA) and the National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) have been reached an agreement ending a strike action which started on Thursday last week.
NEHAWU affiliated workers decided to down tools and embarked on a strike action after salary negotiations reached a deadlock at the CCMA late last month.
Workers were demanding a 14% salary increase across the board while the university was only prepared to offer 6%.
An agreement was finally reached early this week after prolonged negotiations. The reached agreement includes 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,” said NEHAWU’s Khaya Xaba.
As part of the no agreement, the “no work no pay” principle will not apply to workers who have been on strike. UNISA has also agreed to cancel its court process against striking workers as well.
Xaba said, “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.”
These are some of the tweets regarding this situation:
https://twitter.com/Caleb_Singh/status/824520381889474560
https://twitter.com/sweet_dizzleDee/status/826319684349882368
https://twitter.com/Spiwo/status/826299196173058048
