ANGRY workers at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and members of National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) disrupted a graduation ceremony at ZK Matthews Great Hall in Tshwane on Tuesday, 15 March.
According to Nehawu branch secretary Tshembani Valoyi, they were protesting at the Unisa premises citing that last September, the employer gave salary adjustments to academics only, and not workers.
Valoyi said this led to the demonstration of workers as they felt that Unisa was not treating them well.
He said they had been negotiating with Unisa from last September until January, where a collective agreement was signed but the employer was not doing what was agreed upon.
“In February, they adjusted the salaries of workers like they did with academics last September, where their salaries were adjusted by 3% and 7%, those on post grade 7 and 10 were adjusted by 3% and 7% while 11 and 19 were adjusted by 7%. This month, we are surprised to find that the money they paid us last year because of a collective agreement has been reversed,” he said.
Valoyi said they were supposed to be back-paid from September to January, which didn’t happen.
“Security guards support us because they are not being paid their deserved salaries. We demand the employer to address the matter urgently. We are ready to take it to court, even though at the moment we will continue protesting.”
He said the management promised to respond to the their demands on Wednesday, 16 March, and that workers would continue to protest until they received a positive response.
In a statement, Unisa spokesman Victor Dlamini said: “Unisa would like to extend its apologies to the graduates and guests who were inconvenienced by the disruption of the ceremony by protesting members of Nehawu, scheduled for Wednesday. University management is currently in conversation with Nehawu about issues that led to the disruption and rules of engagement when employees exercise their right to protest.”
Dlamini said the university would make alternative arrangements for graduates and communicate details in due course.
“In the meantime, the graduation ceremonies scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday have been postponed until further notice. The university will also communicate
more information in due course.”
