NEHAWU welcomes the resolution and end of the strike Tshwane University of Technology and is happy that the institution can now resume its activities as of tomorrow and offer higher education to students accordingly. The union would like to commend the resolve shown by its members who showed no sign of wavering until justice was done and this is a victory for the working class.

We are happy that the issue of salary capping was resolved as we look at it as the legacy of our past that we would like to leave behind. During the reconfiguring process of the tertiary education more than (300) three hundred of our members at TUT were downgraded in salary levels and were not paid increases for more than 4 years.

This unfair practice was having wide implications because it meant that while the economic situation was changing their financial situation and benefits were not improving.

The parties have agreed on the following:

The arbitration process will determine whether the re-grading which resulted in salary capping of certain staff members was fair or whether disputed cases of downgrading were fair

All members including capped staff members will receive an annual increase of 10% effective from 1 January 2009 and if the arbitration declares that they were correctly capped it will be altered to 6% but the institution cannot claim back any amount paid for the months preceding the strike.

The voluntary arbitration will determine all issues around capping and this process will be concluded by 31st of July 2009

The employer will pay the cost of private arbitration and the arbitration award will not be reviewable. There will be no victimization of any trade union member who participated in the strike and management will consult with the union on cases of alleged misconduct committed during the strike

The employment equity plan will be finalized by the 30th of June and its implementation will commence as from the 1st of July

TUT Employees shall be entitled to study through a national public higher education institution other than TUT if TUT is unable to provide the employee with the appropriate course of study.

The moratorium on promotions shall be lifted  and promotions will take place according to TUT policies provided the TUT budget permits such promotions

The union would like to thank the Minister of Education Ms Naledi Pandor for her timely intervention and the leadership of the ANCYL and YCL for their support and solidarity.

The union would also like to thank the support from the people of South Africa and the students of the institution for their understanding and patience.

The union understands that this was not an ideal way to start the year but the wellbeing and future of the workers was being compromised. The current economic climate that has seen food prices spiraling out of control left us with no option but make a firm stand for our demands to be met.

NEHAWU will continue to fight for better pay and better working conditions. We will always champion the cause and aspirations of the working class with integrity and without fear.