Striking staff at KZN universities to intensify efforts
Some outsourced security and cleaning staff at the Durban University of Technology, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and some provincial hospitals in the province have been on strike for nearly half the year.
The workers, aligned to the SA Public Services Union, downed tools in May wanting to be hired directly by the varsities and hospitals and not through service providers. Current fees protests at tertiary institutions have also been in favour of scrapping outsourcing.
The union’s Joe Sibiya says they are exploring all avenues before taking the matter to the Labour Court.
"We have referred all matters to arbitration. I was at a conciliation process with Mangosuthu University of Technology and there was no cooperation," he said.
"As far as the Durban University of Technology is concerned we have also referred the matters to the CCMA. As far as the hospitals are concerned we a now waiting on the Commissioner of the Health Department," Sibiya said.
(File photo)