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Workers at the Sefako Makgatho University (SMU) downed tools on Thursday following a breakdown in the wage negotiations that have been going on for the past three months.
The workers, who include academics, cleaners, gardeners and security personnel, are affiliated with unions the Academic and Professional Staff Association (APSA), the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, and the SA Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union. They are demanding a 7% salary increase, while the university is not budging on its 5.7% wage increase offer.
APSA general secretary Boitumelo Senokoane said:
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Senokoane added that given the elevated risk of inflation, the annualised average forecast by the Reserve Bank may be an under forecast
“Based on the average inflation forecast of 7.2%, a 5,7% offered by the university management will amount to a wage decline of 1.5% in real terms. APSA opposes this real decline, hence we insist on the 7% increase. The offer by the university will diminish the buying power of our workers in the context of inflation,” Senokoane further said.
Meanwhile, SMU spokesperson Lusani Netshitomboni told City Press on Thursday that the strike had disrupted learning but classes were proceeding.
“Furthermore, the university uses its online platforms to ensure that teaching and learning continues unhindered. In instances where classes could not continue, catch-up interventions will be activated,” Netshitomboni said.
He explained that the employees were demanding a 7% salary hike, while the SMU management "is offering 5.7% across the board on a total guaranteed package". This, among other things, included an increase on all the allowances aligned to the annual increase package.
Netshitomboni conceded that while appreciating the economic challenges the country and SMU employees faced, the university had a responsibility to manage its wage bill in such a manner that it did not compromise its core business and overall sustainability.
According to APSA, the strike comes after three months of wage negotiations and a failed mediation by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
