NSFAS strike looms
The National Education Health & Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) has threatened to strike at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) following failed salary negotiations.
NEHAWU says it's demanding a 6.8% salary increase and full-time employment for workers currently on fix term contracts.
The trade union is currently in the process of applying for a protected strike certificate from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Spokesperson, Khaya Xaba, says the decision to embark on a strike was not taken lightly as the strike may leave financial aid services at various universities in disorder.
NSFAS facilitates financial aid services to students at the country's tertiary institutions.
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"This is a very unfortunate and painful decision to take considering that it might affect working class and poor students who have to apply at NSFAS for funding for the 2018 academic year."
Much emphasis has also been placed on the financial aid provider following President Jacob Zuma's free higher education announcement for poor and working class students.
NSFAS has also been tasked to oversee this process.
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"The intransigency of the employer has left us with no option but to go on a strike action to compel the employer to concede to our demands. A strike action is usually the last option to be taken by the union after exhausting all other avenues available to us."