Nehawu closes UP gates in protest

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has indicated it will intensify its protest today by closing three gates of the University of Pretoria after another deadlock in salary talks.

This after Nehawu and the university could not reach a compromise on wage increases. The meeting was facilitated by an independent commissioner from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

Nehawu national organiser Ntsako Nombelani said while the union tried to compromise by lowering its demand from an 8% salary increase to 7.5%, the university would not budge.

“We also brought the 100% 13th cheque down to 50% and asked for full participation rights on the appointment of medical aid brokers as we both contribute 50% towards the medical aid, but we were shot down again by the employer,” Nombelani said.

University spokesperson Candice Jooste said: “The university remains convinced that its offer of a 7% general salary increase, as well as an additional R3 000 gratuity payment, is reasonable and fair given the current economic conditions, especially as employees are already earning above the industry average.”

Nombelani said the union called on all its members on the campus, including security staff, to come out in protest.