WSU stalemate heads for CCMA

WAGE negotiations at Walter Sisulu University have been in deadlock for two months, and will now be argued before the CCMA.

This was announced yesterday by Nehawu and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) after a heated meeting with university management in East London last month.

The unions want the university to improve their offer of a 6.3 % increase.

WSU says it is so cash-strapped that it can afford no more than that.

Workers, numbering about 2 000, are demanding 12%, backdated to April 1.

NTEU branch secretary Vuyo Mazwi said although their members had scheduled a picket on all campuses, they had decided to await the outcome of the CCMA hearing.

Nehawu said they would speak more on the matter later today.

Nehawu leader Mcebisi Jojo said no progress had been made in negotiations since the talks deadlocked on March 28.

“We can confirm that we have put our hopes in the CCMA to resolve the impasse between ourselves and the university.

“We want to wait for the CCMA proceedings and then map a way forward,” said Jojo.

The university – which spends 64% of its budget on wages, while the national benchmark sits at 62% – has not had a strike in three years.

University spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the employees’ approach to the CCMA was normal.

“It is part of the negotiation process. “It is there to resolve disputes.”