Labour Union Disrupts UNISA Graduation
Todays Unisa Updates – Unisa has had to postpone all upcoming graduation ceremonies, following graduation disruption by protesting labour union members due to an unresolved wage dispute.
A labour dispute between Unisa and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has resulted in the suspension of graduation events. This comes after protesting members of the labour union shut down the university during a graduation event on Tuesday.
NEHAWU’s Unisa Branch Chairperson, Lunathi Hontoti said that the university failed to honour a signed wage agreement that would see the 4 000 members who have downed tools receive wage increases.
Hontoti further explained that according to the agreement, which was signed on 16 January 2022, one part of the group of aggrieved employees was supposed to receive a 7% wage increase while the other was due to receive a 3% wage increase.
Unisa has since condemned the graduation disruptions and has committed to continue talks with the labour union so to be able to end the dispute and resume operations.
Meanwhile, the university’s spokesperson, Victor Dlamini said that the graduation ceremonies that are set to take place remain postponed until further notice, adding that any further changes relating to the postponed events will be communicated directly to the affected students.
Dlamini further stated that the student registrations have not been affected by the ongoing events at the university.
