Business Report writes that Durban University of Technology (DUT) employees went on strike this week demanding a 10% annual salary increase.  

DUT is offering a 4% annual salary increase, which the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has described as an insult.  In a press statement, the union expressed its strong view that the management of DUT, and especially the Vice-Chancellor Professor Thandwa Mthembu, has been treating the employees with disdain.  DUT’s communications manager Noxolo Memela commented that management remained committed to resolving the issues and making sure that the university and its operations went back to normal as soon as possible.  Regarding the salary negotiations, Memela noted that DUT management engaged with the labour unions and representatives on an ongoing basis.  Union leadership will apparently be invited to a meeting scheduled to take place this week, where there will be more talks to resolve the stalemate.  At present, student registration is underway at the university and according to Memela, registration has been slightly affected.  The university has encouraged all students to register online because of the strike.

• Read this report by Dhivana Rajgopaul in full at Business Report
• Read Nehawu’s press statement at Cosatu Today

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page