Timeslive reports that hours before a visit by Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, to the embattled Durban University of Technology (DUT)‚ the vice-chancellor has revealed a number of "truths" about the ongoing strike.  

Professor Thandwa Mthembu defended himself against various allegations levelled against him by the three labour unions representing staff‚ who have been on strike for seven weeks over salary increments.  “I have been accused of ‘failing to engage’ with the unions over the last six weeks of the strike.  The truth is‚ I have written to labour and requested to meet with the three union leaders‚ I have accepted their memoranda and I have worked closely with management’s negotiating team and I have consulted with the Exco of Council to try and find a solution,” Mthembu lamented.  He claimed the university had revised its offer for salary increases “on eight separate occasions”.  He also said the council had “reached its ceiling”.  On the issue of “no work‚ no pay”‚ Mthembu added that the unions were “well aware of the fact that while this was a legal‚ protected strike‚ the university was also adopting the no-work-no-pay principle as the relevant legislation allows management to do.”  Mthembu appealed to the unions to suspend the strike and return to the negotiating table.

• Read this report by Suthentira Govender in full at Timeslive

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