Update on engagements with unions

Dear colleagues and students

On Friday, 8 September, we gave an update on the ongoing negotiation process with trade unions. We reported that the parties had reached a significant degree of common ground, and that UCT expected to continue negotiations this week on outstanding points.

Over the weekend, however, one trade union gave notice of a proposed strike action, which is to commence this Friday, 15 September. The proposed strike is intended to put pressure on UCT to resolve the outstanding issues, and negotiations are scheduled to continue on Wednesday, 13 September.

The UCT executive team continues to make all reasonable efforts to resolve the issues, and to avoid strike action. If, despite these efforts, union members decide to go ahead with the strike on Friday, the UCT executive will take all reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact of the strike on campus activities.

UCT will make appropriate contingency arrangements, and will hold the union to picketing rules either agreed to or imposed by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. The UCT executive is determined to continue with academic activities and administrative operations despite any strike action, and will take all steps reasonably necessary in response to any unlawful attempts to interfere with those activities.

We will keep the campus community informed of developments.

UCT Executive

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements