Several hundred Rhodes University staff have been on strike since Monday 3 August and have been marching through campus in protest against the recent adjustment in the payment of support staff.
Several hundred Rhodes University staff have been on strike since Monday 3 August and have been marching through campus in protest against the recent adjustment in the payment of support staff.
“Everybody is angry and frustrated at the way the university is handling this issue,” said Sam Mzangwa from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu). “The workers wanted to march and vent out their anger.”
“Now it’s time we show to the whole campus we are not angry but dissatisfied,” said marcher Gladman Kondza.
Around 500 staff members went on strike, from pay grades one through five. These include catering, housekeeping, estate, messenger and cleaning staff.
They are protesting against the recent salary adjustment that came into effect on 1 July. Rhodes agreed to distribute R10-million among the lowest paid workers but Nehawu is arguing that too much went to the middle grades (6-18). The union is also concerned about the slim retirement plans of the lower grades. “That ten million has gone mainly to the skilled workers to attract and retain them.” Mzangawa said. “To us it’s a kind of an insult.”
“We did not want to go on this strike but we were forced to by Rhodes,” said Mzangwa. He added that Rhodes was reluctant to talk with Nehawu and had been preparing for a strike. However, Rhodes University spokesperson Lebogang Hashatse said informal discussions had been taking place.
Teaching is continuing as normal and contingency plans have been put in place for security, housekeeping and catering, according to Zamuxolo Matiwana, Rhodes Internal Communications Officer. Residences have drawn up cleaning rosters and students are taking over cleaning duties. The dining halls are especially hard hit, but staff from other departments at Rhodes and students have been volunteering to help out.
“It’s a huge inconvenience for the rest of us, especially in res,” said Wiseman Ngubo, a third year student. He added, “If this strike didn’t affect us I think we wouldn’t care.”
Some students are supportive of the strikers. “They have a right. They’re people and should be treated like people,” said student Juni Demirkiran. However, others complain that the union is being unreasonable and should not be striking during a recession. Other students are unhappy that residence life has been interrupted. “We have to clean toilets! Ugh!” said Mabocha Mokobane, a third year student in residence. Rhodes is not sure how long the strike will last but will try and keep it to less than a week.
