Industrial action looms at Rhodes

RHODES University faces possible industrial action after refusing to budge on a 5% wage increase offer to support staff.

But the university, which is facing massive financial challenges, says even the 5% on the table will cost it an extra R20-million which it can barely afford.

Something has got to give but both unions at the university, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) – which have formed a joint bargaining forum -say it will not be them.

NTEU general secretary Grant Abbott confirmed yesterday the union was polling its members on whether to embark on what the union termed planned, incremental and responsible industrial action.

While Nehawu could not be reached for comment, the union has reportedly already voted to begin escalating industrial action.

Wage talks deadlocked last week and the CCMA issued a certificate of nonresolution, which opened the way for a vote on industrial action.

Abbott said yesterday the NTEU was looking at industrial action such as picketing during lunch hour, but this would likely escalate if their demands were ignored.

The unions have dropped their initial increase demand from 8% to 7.5% on their salary basket.

They also initially requested a shorter work week of 37.5 hours and a twoyear moratorium on retrenchments.

Management has reportedly rejected all its demands, including the moratorium on retrenchments.

The unions say a 5% offer is below the CPI and effectively a salary cut.

But Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said the 5% offer reflected the university’s strained financial situation.

“We cannot increase this budget further without placing the future of this university and the academic project in serious jeopardy,” he said.

He called for cool heads.