The Congress of South African Trade Unions’ Gauteng provincial office fully supports the ongoing strike at UNISA after five shop-stewards were unfairly dismissed. Last year, management at the University of South Africa(UNISA) increased salaries of academics and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union(NEHAWU) revolted against this divisive management strategy. NEHAWU’s intervention paid off and all workers were paid accordingly. However, this was short lived. Subsequent to the payment of other categories of employees, branch office bearers were suspended and dismissed.

The Federation intervened and the Vice Chancellor committed to appointing a task team to deal with this matter. The task team was established but was undermined by management divisions at the university and was disbanded in favour of the dismissal of shop-stewards. The Vice Chancellor’s unwillingness to compromise was also displayed during the intervention by the CCMA where parties proposed for the reinstatement of unfairly dismissed shop-stewards. Her refusal to this proposal was an illustration of the university’s disinterest to engage in the matter.

The federation is pleased by the solidarity shown by other affiliates. As COSATU in Gauteng, we will mobilise more affiliates to support NEHAWU.

We urge comrades to hold lunchtime demonstrations at the Department of Higher Education and Training and at all TVET colleges and universities in Tshwane. Should the university remain opposed to constructive engagements, we will have no choice but to call the entire higher education sector to join the lunchtime demonstrations. 

For more information please contact:

Provincial Secretary: Louisa Modikwe – 066 182 2402

Provincial Chairperson: Amos Monyela – 079 493 5002