Durban — Staff of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on Wednesday held a lunchtime placard demonstration to highlight unfavourable working conditions and their ongoing concerns about retrenchments.
DUT council chairperson Wiseman Zazi Madinane was recently quoted by Independent Media saying that in email correspondence with the Tertiary Education National Union South Africa (Tenusa) the verified retrenchment figure was to be 43.
However, during the 12 months preceding the date of the first retrenchment notice, 24 employees had already been retrenched as a result of the university’s operational requirements.
After receiving an email from Madinane, the university sent another document stating that 152 positions would be affected by retrenchment. The university has 1545 employees.
Tenusa chairperson, Dr Naresh Sentoo, said the conditions of employment affecting their benefits have been eroded.
“There is no consultation or negotiations on the change of these benefits, they just get unilaterally stopped and we want attention to this,” he said.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) Durban regional secretary, Prince Mthalane, said their issues include tough conditions faced by workers, change of policies, retrenchments and their dissatisfaction with the way the institution is run by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu.
“I think that he should have long been relieved of his duties because he has failed,” Mthalane said.
Tenusa said: “There comes a time to say enough is enough; when common purpose is the only option; when our differences in ideology has to be put aside pursuant of a common goal.”
The picket began at the DUT Campus on Centenary Road. Staff walked along Centenary Road and stopped at the Steve Biko Campus gate. Police were present but the protest was peaceful. DUT said it was aware of staff affiliated with Tenusa and Nehawu who held a peaceful protest in Durban.
“Although the unions did not notify university management about the specific purpose of the protest, it respects their right to peaceful protest.”
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