Workers at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University are heading for showdown with management after wage negotiations deadlocked.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union said it had had been engaged in negotiations with NMMU management for the past two months.
The union said in a statement that its members at the university are demanding a living wage, seeking a 6.4% increment plus an additional 4% for living enhancement which Nehawu said was “negotiable”.
“Management made a pathetic offer of 3%. This was roundly rejected by NEHAWU and the other unions,” Nehawu said.
“The matter was taken to the Ombudsman for legal advisory for opinion and it was agreed by all parties that the increment would have to be above CPI, in line with the Condition of Service (CoS).”
Nehawu said NMMU countered with a 5.4% wage offer, which was also rejected by its members at the university.
“We also call for the in-sourcing of all services at the campus starting with cleaning services. This week, cleaning staff downed tools after widespread abuse and victimisation by the company that employs them by the name of Supercare,” the union said.
“Failure to resolve the current impasse will leave workers with no choice but to go on a full blown strike,” Nehawu said.
