Rhodes resolves wage dispute

A WAGE dispute settled.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the National Tertiary Education Union (Nteu) at Rhodes University, have settled for a 6.9% wage increase ending more than three weeks of sporadic labour action.

The university yesterday welcomed the settlement and said the adjustment would be backdated to January.

The unions rejected outright the university’s initial offer of 5%.

At the time, the cash-strapped university said even the 5% on the table would cost it an extra R20-million, which it could barely afford.

Some staff embarked on a go-slow which had affected the functioning of residences and dining at Rhodes University has been halls. Vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela yesterday admitted that the concessions made by the university during the “difficult negotiations” would exert more pressure on the university’s finances.

“As a university, we will continue to exercise fiscal prudence and austerity measures to ensure that the university remains on a sustainable path.”

He expressed gratitude to staff and students for what he termed their patience and discipline during the three weeks of labour action on campus.

He singled out wardens at the residences “who had to deal with very difficult situations and the leadership of the two unions for facilitating a resolution.

“Such episodes are not easy for everyone. We now have a responsibility to restore normality immediately and to ensure that the academic project and the general operations of the university continue unhindered.”