Nehawu vows to fight axing of members
THE National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) at Unisa has vowed to fight against the “union bashing” actions of the university, after five shop stewards affiliated to the union were fired.
On Friday, Unisa announced it had decided to fire five members of staff who had been on precautionary suspension since April 19, for violation of the Unisa Ethics Code and Employee Disciplinary Code.
The university said the the employees had violated their terms of suspension by inciting public violence, causing malicious damage to property, as well as organising and leading the forceful disruption of Unisa graduation ceremonies between March and April.
And, they had violated a court order prohibiting such actions. “Despite repeated advice and warnings by the university to the striking Nehawu members to cease and desist from participating in an illegal, unprotected strike, they continued to lead and organise an unlawful strike by university employees aligned to the union.”
The university stressed that the illegal strike was continuing to this day.
Unisa management said its actions were a result of its duty to protect the academic programme, preserve the image and reputation of the university, as well as ensure that staff, students, and other stakeholders could access
Unisa premises without hindrance, and free from fear and intimidation.
Unisa said even though it had kept its doors open for engagement, Nehawu had rejected outright any advances to address the issues since the first disruptions in March.
Nehawu regional chairperson Ivan Ramogale said the union was angered and highly disappointed by vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula and management’s decision to “unlawfully” terminate the employment contracts of its shop stewards.
Ramogale said it was clear their dismissal was predetermined by the vice-chancellor when letters of precautionary suspension and intent to institute disciplinary action were issued.
“The vice-chancellor didn’t follow the legal requirements of the Labour Relations Act, which state that discipline against a trade union representative or an employee who is an office-bearer of a trade union shouldn’t be instituted without first informing and consulting the union.”
Ramogale said university management was alerted to the provision in the law, but had chosen to ignore it.
He rubbished allegations that the union had ignored advances by the university to engage on the issues, stating that the union had implored LenkaBula to engage in meaningful consultation with the union as a matter of urgency. “We … have formally confirmed our availability for an engagement only to be surprised by the abrupt decision to terminate the employment contracts of our shop stewards.” he said.
“This step by the Unisa management confirms our assertion that the action was predetermined. We are of the view that the actions of management are abhorrent, very high-handed, and tantamount to union bashing.”
Ramogale said union leadership would be meeting with its members at the university today to discuss the latest developments and decide on a course of action.
Unisa management, meanwhile, urged all employees to cease and desist from participating in the illegal, unprotected strike and to report for duty with immediate effect as it would apply a no work, no pay rule for employees.