Workers contracted to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) through Elite Cleaning Services took part in a peaceful demonstration outside UJ’s Kingsway Campus on 14 November.
In a memorandum of grievances handed over to UJ and Elite, the workers stipulated clearly what they demanded from the two parties.
“The University of Johannesburg should directly employ all the cleaners, and this will reverse privatisation. We are convinced that by so doing the university will save money and we are prepared to demonstrate how money will be saved by employing all cleaners as UJ employees,” the memorandum read.
The workers added that they seek to proceed negotiating for living wages with the university and Elite, once delegates have been elected among them.
Elite’s director John Simpson said employing the cleaners would be more expensive for UJ.
“I agree that they should receive a liveable wage but unfortunately Elite can’t fix that because we pay them according to the Government Gazette,” he added.
UJ’s acting senior manager of the strategic communications department, An-Li Theron said university could not intervene, but they could provide assistance during the negotiations.
“Like many similar institutions in the country, UJ enters into contracts with various service providers. The University has rigorous protocols in terms of how it enters into contracts with these service providers. The university has no control over the conditions of engagement and service between service providers and their employees,” said Theron.
Theron added that the university will forward the grievances of the workers to management of Elite for consideration and direct engagement with their workers.
One of the workers who preferred to remain anonymous said they need as much support as they can get to overcome the situation.
“We also need support from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party, Cosatu and the ANC Youth League (ANCYL),” he added.
The workers joined forces with several students and academics to launch the Justice for Cleaners campaign of the Persistent Solidarity forum through this demonstration.
Details: An-Li Theron 011 559 6866
