Unisa, Nehawu signs wage increase agreement
The University of South Africa (Unisa) and National Health Education & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) have signed an agreement that will see permanent employees receiving a salary increase of between 5 and 8 percent.
Unisa says the increase is on a sliding scale with employees on the higher grades receiving the lower percentage and those on lower grades receiving the higher percentage.
Nehawu members at Unisa embarked on protest action after negotiations deadlocked at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela says temporary employees will receive an increase of 7.75 percent.
"The parties agreed that the new salary increases will be implemented on or about the 15 February 2017. The parties further agreed that the principle of 'no work, no pay' will not be applied and that the interdict sought by the university during the strike falls away," says Ramotshela.
Meanwhile, Nehawu national spokesperson, Khaya Xaba says even though they have reached a consensus with university management, they are not exactly elated with the compromise.
''We are not entirely happy with the settlement, but we feel that we can work with it considering the 4.5 percent that was first put on the table by the management was below the CPI, but we accept the 8 percent,'' says Khaya.
Khaya also adds that even though the workers have agreed on the 8 percent salary hike, they too are not happy with the 8 percent increase, as they initially wanted a 14 percent salary increase but after negotiations succeeded, they decide to settle for the 8 percent.