Varsity THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
UCT Ballroom gleams in gold
23 August 2011
Volume 70: Number 9
021 650 3543
varsitynewspaper.co.za
page 15
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Hear our voices Lyndall Thwaits
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Image: GarethSmit.com STRUCK – Members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union went on strike on Monday 15 August, advocating for an 18% wage increase. The image was taken outside the Cape Town Civic Centre as protesters waited to be addressed by Deputy Mayor Ian Nielson. Basil Botha, who is a cleaner in the Steve Biko Student Union Building, said that workers felt “intimidated by many.” he current human resources policy allows for direct contact between the two parties; nevertheless, the workers feel victimised by the system. A cleaner at UCT who wished to remain anonymous said: “UCT don’t treat us like human beings; we don’t feel free, we must just clean.” Feelings of victimisation and frustration were expressed by many of the workers present. Grievances over workers’ current wages played a signiicant role in their strike action.
Workers claim that the “allowances” that UCT allocates to them are being deducted by their respective companies for taking part in the strike, or for taking sick leave.
workers... are tired of waiting for UCT management to resolve issues Instead of hiring extra workers when a worker reports in sick, cleaning companies are allegedly increasing the workload of other employees. Workers called for individual
paycheques which accurately reflect their income and a system which supports the workers and their best interests. Metro workers at the strike on campuses across UCT said that they were unhappy about the health and safety aspects of their respective jobs. hey claimed to be inadequately supplied with uniforms and warm clothing for working in the winter. he DVC said that processes and procedures were in place to deal with allegations of intimidation and payment disputes saying that “all of this is talk, but talk is important.” Workers were clear to say that they invited further conversation
with UCT management by opening the door, but that they did not want to ight with them. he SRC said that as a body it “supports the rights of workers to a decent living wage and beneits.” hey will continue to investigate the issues which have been raised by the workers through the strike action. he strike action by UCT workers is in part an extension of the mass national strike for wage increases for workers across the country. While workers at UCT were ighting for this increase, they acknowledged that if granted, the increase could take months to implement.
IN THIS ISSUE
CT cleaning staf gathered outside Bremner Building on Middle Campus on the morning of Wednesday 17 August before marching to upper campus as part of their strike action. Workers anticipated a direct response from UCT management regarding many ongoing issues surrounding their working conditions and payment. he meeting between UCT management and the workers was meant to act as a platform for workers to raise their concerns directly with the respective bodies within UCT. Workers stood outside the Bremner building with placards and there was a strong presence of security, with CPS monitoring the crowd, and the building heavily protected. Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Professor handabantu Nhlapo and John Critien, Head of Property and Services at UCT addressed the crowd. Cleaning staf from Metro and Supercare were supposed to put down tools on Monday 15 August but many have been coming in to UCT to fulil their duties. hey later joined the major protest, for fear that not being seen there by peers would result in violence in their homes and communities. Last Wednesday marked the irst day that they abstained from their usual duties. Workers repeatedly told the DVC that they are tired of waiting for UCT management to resolve issues surrounding pay and worker’s code of conduct. Amongst other things, they also claimed that UCT has the power to say “no” to outsourcing staf. hese issues are not unfamiliar to the staf, but previous strikes have not brought about the desired change they had hoped for. Allegations of UCT intimidation made by a worker who approached them directly sparked a heated debate between the DVC and the worker in question. he worker was allegedly given a warning for attending a UCT meeting.
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Res4Res revealed
VARSITY, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy.
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