Update

GEORGE NEWS - Nelson Mandela University issued a statement this afternoon, Monday 26 February, confirming that it is engaged with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) in a bid to end the strike and "put a stop to today’s illegal actions".

Nehawu this morning embarked upon a strike over a dispute pertaining to salary negotiations for the 2023/2024 financial year. 

In the statement, the university confirmed that the dispute was taken to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), but conciliation was unsuccessful.

It said gates on the North and South campuses in Gqeberha were blocked early this morning, but all campuses in Gqeberha and George are now open. 

When George Herald was at the George Campus early this morning, the workers were picketing at the entrance, but staff and student buses entered the campus unhindered.

The university states that Nehawu members' action today means what should have been a protected strike as recently agreed to by the CCMA became an illegal one.

"A protected picket or strike must comply with specific Labour Law guidelines, inclusive of where and how the strike action can take place. Denying staff and students access to attend work and lectures respectively is outside the terms of agreement," said the university.

Employee Relations engagement

The NMU Employee Relations department is engaging directly with Nehawu in an effort to seek solutions. 

In the meantime, it is seeking an interdict from the Labour Court to prohibit actions from taking place outside of the parameters of the approved protected strike, said the university.

Read a previous article:

Nehawu workers of NMU embark on strike

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