DUT management meets as workers' strike continues

Milton Estrice says workers will not back down from their demands.

Estrice has been speaking for the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, the National Tertiary Education Union and the Tertiary Education Union of South Africa.

"If the VC feels he can run this university without his staff then that's for him to decide and to prove to the community that he can run this institution without his staff," he says. 

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Workers at the Durban University of Technology downed tools last month. They're now demanding a reduced 8.5% increase while the varsity is only offering 6.5%.

"Staff will maintain their stance - they are on strike. We take it one day at a time and we will have to do what is necessary for management to conclude salaries amicably," he says.

Meanwhile, DUT management is expected to meet to discuss a way forward. Lectures for the 2018 academic year are set to get underway on Monday.

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DUT management is meeting to discuss a way forward in terms of the ongoing strike.

Spokesperson, Alan Khan says they have been locked in negotiations with workers since early January. 

"There was a discussion around a without prejudice conversation. Both parties have agreed to the without prejudice conversation as the gap is still far apart. A this stage, the university is once again to accept that there now needs to be a mediator brought in so that negotiations can continue so to find a solution to the salary impasse," he says.