With SADTU Salary Increase, an employer is now offering R900 (increase from R800 per month) with a condition that the adjustment be in effect for six months only. A third issue was over the employers` insistence to impose a multi-term agreement of three years, despite labour`s staunch opposition to this condition.
Sadtu salary increase
The COSATU affiliated unions in the public sector (DENOSA, NEHAWU, PAWUSA, POPCRU, SADTU, SAEPU, and SAMATU), who commands the majority at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) wish to update its members on progress around the ongoing salary negotiation in the public service.
Having collectively submitted our demands on the 1st March 2021, the long-awaited response from the employer did not inspire any confidence but rather a disappointing posture with a zero percent increase on cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). There was no movement on other areas like risk allowance; medical aid and housing allowance.
The employer is hellbent on a zero-increase approach to all our demands that require monetary increase and is adamantly pursuing salary freeze even when workers in the public service did not get any increase in 2020. This posture characterises an uncaring and inconsiderate employer whose workers have discharged their responsibilities unselfishly, diligently and with humility in the public service throughout the difficult period of Covid-19. From the employer’s response, our strongest view is that the employer is undermining collective bargaining because the feeding of salaries was never discussed in the chamber but was a unilateral decision by government. We further noted with disgust the intention by the employer to embark on down-varying of existing condition of employment such as leaves, allowances and other demands which will place workers in a worse off situation if not challenged.
On the COLA in which we demanded a Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 4% across the board, the employer presented a zero increase and furthermore wanted to take the allocated pay progression and other allowances away and bring them as salary increase. This move would imply that workers will not get any pay progression together with other allowances. We have outrightly rejected any attempt to erode the hard-fought gains and have equally declared a deadlock.
We are appalled at this unbecoming tendency of the employer to disregard the value of the public servants. The willingness to provide no salary increase amid the growing economic hardship exacerbated by increasing prices on basic items like food, electricity and public transport is proof enough to back our claim that the employer is uncaring and insensitive.
We strongly believe that our demands are reasonable, affordable, achievable and we are therefore committed to defend them in any form available to the workers. We are awake to the reality of a new economic austerity policy trajectory which is being advanced by the employer even against the legitimate demands of workers who did not receive any increase in the past financial year.
We are fully committed to this process of negotiations and we will only go back to the table should the employer come with a revised offer. We will be consulting with our members on the next possible step while we follow the set process in the PSCBC to resolve the impasse.
For information and comment, contact:
Mugwena Maluleke, JMC Convener: 082 783 2968
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.