Start of academic programme delayed due to DUT strike

The institution's Alan Khan says they're yet to reach an agreement with administrative staff - who have been striking for weeks. 

"The lectures were meant to start on 5 February but the executive committee took a decision today to only commence the academic programme on Monday, 12 February. There's still a deadlock regarding the salary impasse. At this stage, the university has taken a decision to delay the start of the 2018 academic year," he says.  

Khan says they have also extended the registration period for students.

"This will also afford a chance to those students who are still not registered to register either online or come in person to our campus in Durban and Pietermaritzburg," he says.  

Management and unions have been locked in wage talks since early January.  

Employees want an 8.5% increase while DUT's offering 6.5%.  

ALSO READ: DUT strike enters third week

Milton Estrice - speaking on behalf of unions representing staff - says they've made little progress regarding a salary increase for staff.

"Management came to the negotiating table with a mandate that would make the negotiations fail. They've come with a fixed position and said - they were mandated by council to not go beyond that. In calling us to negotiations, they knew that we would never conclude salaries," he says. 

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