DUT strike delays academic year
"The decision to delay the start of the academic year, will give students another week to either register."
CLASSES at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will be delayed by a week, as the staff strike continues.
According to the University, the decision to delay the start of the academic year, will give those students who have not registered as yet, another week to either register online or to register in person on campus. Following the resumption of salary negotiations, between Management and the three labour unions (NEHAWU, TENUSA and NTEU) yesterday, no agreement was reached.
Alan Khan, the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT said: “Management admitted that they did not have an open ended mandate in the negotiation process and that both parties need to engage in good faith. Management tabled a new offer of 6% increase in basic salary and a 6% increase in the monthly housing allowance with no once-off bonus (14th cheque). These bonuses are no longer once-off but have turned recurrent as they are demanded from year to year and without any performance management system being in place.”
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“The three labour unions were then given time to caucus after which they presented the following options to Management. The first option was a 1: 9% increase in basic, R300 increase in housing allowance, R6000 once-off bonus (14th cheque). The second option was 2: 8.5% increase in basic, R200 increase in housing allowance and R9000 once-off bonus (14th cheque). Management then increased their offer to 6.25% increase on the basic salary and a 6.25% in the monthly housing allowance. The three unions adjourned for another caucus and then returned with a new position of 8.25% increase in basic salary, a R400 in the housing allowance and R7500 once-off bonus (14th cheque),” added Khan.
The unions want an 8% increase in basic salary and R350 housing allowance without a once-off bonus (14th cheque), while management is willing to offer a 6.5% increase in basic salary and 6.5% in housing allowance without a once-off bonus (14th cheque).
“Beyond the above positions, labour was not prepared to revise their position. The second option that needs to be explored is the intervention of a mediator. Currently, the Unions have rejected the University’s request for the CCMA or another independent mediator to assist.Whilst the protestors have tried to disrupt student registration, the University remains open. Students are registering online via the DUT website and more students are registering on campus in Durban and at the Riverside campus in Pietermaritzburg,” he said.
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