Walter Sisulu University said it may have to postpone the June exams following a strike by workers who are demanding an 8% salary increase, while the University said it could only offer 6.3%
University spokesperson, Yonela Tukwayo, said classes have been suspended across all campuses in spite of last-ditch talks with National Education Health and Allied Workers Union, Nehawu and National Tertiary Education Union, Nteu, on Sunday.
She said however that the two unions stuck to their guns on the 8% increase in spite of the Walter Sisulu University offering to open its books to them.
"We requested them to have a look and scrutinise our financials as well as the bank accounts so that they could satisfy themselves with the argument that we are putting forward to say that we do not have any additional money that can put towards salaries more than this 6.3% that we are currently offering."
Tukwayo said with the disruption to the academic programme WSU may have to postpone the June exams which were due to start next week.
"Our academic enterprise has been affected. There is no learning and teaching taking place. We were scheduled to start exams next week and unfortunately it looks like we are going to have to postpone the June examinations," she said.
Tukwayo said however that they "are still open to further engagements with unions to find an amicable solution so that we can get back to the business of the day which is education".
