Uncategorized
The University of South Africa (Unisa) has issued a statement following protest action which interrupted graduation ceremonies last week.
The university has experienced two incidents of this nature in as many months, as March saw similar protests around salary adjustments.
According to Unisa, members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) protested at ceremonies which lead to pepper spray being used.
To combat incidents like this from happening again, there are now measures in play to “mitigate against anarchy and lawlessness”.
Unisa outlines these measures and more media statement (PDF), which are:
The salary adjustment dispute which has been running for a few months has since been amicably resolved. It was the only fundamental issue that had disturbed labour peace at Unisa.Five staff members, who also occupy leadership roles in NEHAWU, have been suspended effective from 19 April 2022 pending the disciplinary hearings, for organising an illegal and unprotected strike, as well as causing the disruption of
the 2022 Autumn Graduation Ceremonies, among others. Such reckless activities have clearly caused harm to the image of the university and scores of workers, students and visitors were exposed to immense risksA court interdict is in place and enforceable against any illegal activity which seeks to disturb the operations of the university. This includes intimidation, harassment and any other related activity as spelled out in the court order. The university is obligated to uphold the law. Workers who are engaged in an illegal and unprotected strike are fully aware of the court interdict and the fact that no union has been granted the certificate to strike by the CCMA. As such, workers are advised to report for work, failure of which disciplinary process will follow in line with university policies and the law.Due to the violent nature of disruptions, the university has taken urgent steps to upscale security at its campuses, as well as to engage relevant government agencies which have the capacity and resources to manage security situations that fall outside the scope of normal labour relations disputes.Management remains open to engage on real and substantive worker issues, including on the strategic issues of transformation and the future of Unisa.
Lawlessness, violence, and intimidation do not constitute part of that agenda.
On the part of NEHAWU, the online platform has not seen a public statement, at least not online.
The official accounts of NEHAWU have ben quiet for some time with its Twitter account not used since late 2021 and its Facebook page last updated on 19th April 2022 about the floods in some parts of the country.
Unisa, in its media statement, goes on to explain that it “continues to be a centre of academic excellence” before listing several accomplishment from its students and staff, pointing out how unlawful protests can impact proceedings.
We do have to take pause new the end of this statement as it unironically uses the term “too big to fail”, a term most people use negatively as it’s rooted in the many, many failures of the US banking system.
“Unisa is too big to fail. It is an important national, continental and global asset that must always be protected by all of us as members of the public and leaders committed to the university’s vision and core mandate,” the statement continues.
htxt.co.za