After three weeks of protesting against the Nelson Mandela University, National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and the Gqeberha institution of higher learning have reached an agreement.
The workers handed over a memorandum of demands to the university, one of which was an eight percent salary increase. Nehawu Regional Secretary, Samkelo Msila has confirmed that the strike by the workers of Nelson Mandela University over the wage negotiations dispute has ended, and they have reached an agreement with the institution. Msila said the workers are back at work, “The National Union has reached an agreement with the university, and the agreement entails that workers are going to receive 0.55% as an addition to the 6.9%. It is then our responsibility from the side of the union to consider that through mandate-taking with the general workers, and as we have done so, our representatives have met with management in terms of sealing that particular agreement,” he added.
The university’s Zandile Mbabela confirmed the agreement, “There have been a series of meetings with the union since last week. On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, the University and NEHAWU reached a settlement agreement.”
On NEHAWU’s claim that the university’s executive management has been receiving exorbitant bonuses, while workers were left on the sidelines, Mbabela said permanent employees of the university receive a 13th cheque annually, which is not performance linked. “Senior management do not receive a 13th cheque, but rather performance-based bonuses. Decisions on the performance bonuses of senior management are under the purview of the Executive Committee of Council (ExCo),” she said.
A first-year student, who prefers to remain anonymous, expressed her relief, and hopes that this agreement is the beginning of a resolution of other issues. “For three weeks students were left in limbo. Most of the offices that help us were closed, and we just didn’t know where to turn to. As a first-year student it was even more scary for me, because we did not really get proper communication of what exactly is happening.”
The university’s Student Representative Council secretary general, Olwethu Xawuka said the next issue that should be dealt with is accommodation. “A lot of students don’t have accommodation. They literally don’t have a place to sleep, and that completely disrupts their learning, as you can imagine. This is a pressing matter that needs to be addressed urgency,” he said.
