NEHAWU Gauteng Concludes A Wage Agreement With WITS University
Thursday March 17, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in Gauteng has concluded a wage agreement at the University of Witwatersrand [Wits]. This comes after protracted negotiations.
The union considers the agreement a major victory for our members and workers. The union had exerted pressure on the university management to accede to the demands of our members and workers in the institution.
Salary Increment
Parties have agreed on a single term agreement which will be backdated to the 1st of January 2022 during the March payroll run as follows:
- 5.5% on workers on Peromnes level 5 – 9 who are academic staff
- 5.5% % on workers on Peromnes level 5-12 on support staff
- 6 % on workers on Peromnes level 13 – 17 support staff
- R3000 once-off ex Gracia from 25 April 2022 to all NEHAWU members.
Study Bursaries
- 50% upfront payment on Staff beneficiary study bursaries in line with the existing policy.
University Year-End Shutdown
- University shutdown will be on the 22 of December at 14H00 to allow workers time to rest and spend time with their families.
Outstanding Issues
Parties have also reached a consensus to continue working together by establishing task teams that will report on progress back to the Institutional Bargaining Forum on demands that require a process and agreed to conclude them by August 2022. The outstanding matters are as follows:
- Housing allowance policy
- Medical aid policy/subsidy
- Organizational design
- Correction of salary disparities
- Discontinuation of parking fees
- Reinstatement of long service award
- Leave policy
NEHAWU will continue to fight for the improvement of salaries and working conditions of its members and workers in general. Our members can rest assured that they have a fighting union on their side. We will continue to wage a relentless war to protect workers' interests and defend collective bargaining at all costs.
The union also views the agreement as a victory considering the current economic conditions due to COVID-19 and other factors such as the decline of block grants from Department of Higher Education and Training.
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Issued by NEHAWU Gauteng Secretariat
Mzikayise Tshontshi (Gauteng Provincial Secretary) at 0636851938 or email: mzikayise@nehawu.org.za
Thulisile Msimang (Gauteng Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0721748062 or email: tmsimang@dtps.gov.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za