The University of Cape Town (UCT) academic staff will be striking due to low wages for the first time.
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According to News24, there have been negotiations between management and the Academics’ Union (AU) that have been at a deadlock since last year.
A 3% wage increase was offered in November, and the AU has been trying to renegotiate the wages to no avail so far.
Following a deadlock, the AU contacted its members with a poll regarding strike action.
“The Academics’ Union (AU), representing a majority of academic staff at the university, polled its members on their willingness to take this step – and industrial action was supported by 87% of AU members.”
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is expected to have issued a strike certificate on 20 January 2023.
AU representative Kelley Moult is on record as stating that UCT, as one of the top learning institutions, could match the 6.9% wage increase offered by the universities.
“The insult of the 3% pay offer is further compounded by the university having budgeted for an R183 million increase in student financial aid (a 106% increase from 2022). Matching the pay increases offered by other universities would cost an additional approximately R90 million,” said Moult.
The poll was supported by 87% of the AU members, so a three-day strike is looming with the possibility of extension as soon as the strike certificate has been issued.
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