GEORGE NEWS - The Nelson Mandela University's (NMU) George Campus has till today to respond to the concerns of a small group of security workers on campus about the outsourcing of security services being implemented by the university.
A memorandum was handed over to the university on Thursday 12 March in which the workers asked for the implementation process to be halted until the issues the employees and unions raised had been fully addressed.
Lwando Laqwesha, a spokesperson for the group, said the university had proceeded with the outsourcing process without properly consulting the workers and was unjustly applying Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act.
Section 197 ensures that employees transfer to a new employer with their existing terms of employment and with their rights protected under law.
In the memorandum, the workers request access to all information that informed the decision, including financial models comparing internal services with outsourcing, the tender contract with Fidelity Security Services, any governance or management assessments, and the legal opinion obtained regarding Section 197.
Zandile Ngwendu, communications media manager, said the university had made a public announcement last October regarding the hybridisation of its protection services following the council's decision to reposition the university's safety and security services.
She said since late last year, there has been ongoing engagement with organised labour. "The confirmation of the conditions of transfer in accordance with Section 197 was issued in writing and shared during information and disclosure sessions with all employees in this context. Engagements will continue at key milestones throughout the implementation process," she said.
The hybrid model includes the transfer of employment contracts for 216 employees to Fidelity Security Services from 15 March.
Ngwendu said Fidelity has stepped in to provide operational support on campus after some security employees had failed to report for duty since Thursday 12 March.
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