News24 reports that according to GroundUp the strike by staff, including academics, over salary increases at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has entered its sixth week.
Last week, the lectures were suspended indefinitely, while spokesperson for the DUT Crisis Committee, Milton Estrice, was adamant the strike would continue until strikers' demands were met. Staff are ordinarily paid on the 20th of the month and there was anger on Tuesday when protesting staff members found their pay packets heavily reduced. Staff said they were aware of the "no work no pay rule" but demanded to know how their salaries had been calculated. Estrice said: "We also need a thorough explanation why our salaries have been cut because we haven't even received pay slips to explain." He went on to indicate: The situation has been worsened now with the docking of our salaries. Workers are angered and without an explanation will have to go home with almost empty wallets." DUT staff are currently demanding an increase of 8% in salary and R350 in the housing allowance, as well as a once-off bonus of R9,000. DUT is apparently offering 6.5% increases in salaries and the housing allowance, with no bonus.
- Read this report by Nomfundo Xolo in full at News24
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