In response to grievances expressed by two worker’s unions, "a formal response will only be presented after all proposals are considered by Rhodes’ remuneration Committee of Council on 18 June 2009."
In response to grievances expressed by two worker’s unions, "a formal response will only be presented after all proposals are considered by Rhodes’ remuneration Committee of Council on 18 June 2009."
This is according to a media statement released on Thursday, in response to the National Education and Health Alliance Worker’s Union (Nehawu) and National Tertiary Education Staff Union (Ntesu) protest on 29 May. During the demonstration, Nehawu handed a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University, Dr Saleem Badat. In the memorandum they stipulated changes to the university’s policies in terms of salaries for support staff, black people not being placed in senior positions and extended leave periods. The memorandum also stated that the Director of Human Resources, Sarah Fischer, "has embarrassed the workers in general and has no respect for members." The university was requested to reply within five working days.
Addressing a media briefing at the University, marketing and communication manager, Lebogang Hashatse said that management couldn’t respond in such a short period because sufficient time was needed to gather all the relevant parties to discuss both unions’ concerns. Responding to the criticism of Fischer, Rhodes responded saying "it should be noted that she has acted on behalf of management when she presented the remuneration adjustment proposals to the staff." Fischer stated that all staff members are regarded as highly important to the institution and the "calibre of staff members is a key to the success of the university".
A market analysis which was conducted by Remchannel, an interactive remuneration survey company, revealed that while salaries at lower levels (eg. cleaners and caterers) were competitive, salaries at higher levels were not. Before the protest, R10-million was set aside for the adjustment of staff salaries for 2009. From that amount, Nehawu demands that 60% be divided equally among grade 1 to 8 staff which includes catering staff. It also states that 40% from that amount be divided equally among grade 9-18 staff members. Hashatse says that at the Rhodes council meeting on 18 June a multiple of views will be tabled to discuss the new remuneration strategy.
