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The National Health Education Workers Union (Nehawu) on Friday claimed that the University of SA (Unisa) docked the salaries of non-striking workers last month.
In a statement, the union claimed that deductions were made for no work no pay in 80% of the non-striking workers. This resulted in the lowest paid worker getting only R265.
“The deductions were unilaterally effected without a system to separate non-striking workers from those who were on strike. No letters of notification were sent to the Unisa staff members,” Nehawu said.
The non-striking workers included academics who oversaw exams and marking, staff who were on research and development leave, staff members who worked during the unrest, as well as current and former shop stewards.
READ: Union warns of mayhem
Unisa has been embroiled in a dispute with the union since March this year over salary increases and the suspension of five Nehawu workers after workers disrupted graduation ceremonies.
University spokesperson, Rathelele Mahlomola, had not responded to questions sent by City Press at the time of writing.
The union said Unisa disregarded the Basic Conditions of Employment Act when implementing the deductions. The Act states that a deduction from an employee’s salary can only be made if:
- A fair procedure is followed allowing the employee to make representations the employee agrees in writing to the deduction;
- The debt is specified in the agreement; and
- The debt does not exceed the actual amount of loss or damage and the debt repayment does not exceed one quarter of the employee’s monthly remuneration.
Nehawu said the deductions were implemented despite the union’s national office having written to Unisa to verify who was at work.
“We predicted that this might happen, the vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula exercised her arrogance and continues to disregard the law. Unfortunately this has backfired as she punished those who were working,” added the statement.
READ: Nehawu denies that it disrupted Unisa graduation ceremony, claims double booking was made
The union further claimed that managers “purposefully submitted” the incorrect names to the finance department for payroll.
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