Strikes force cancellation of exams at South African university

A South African university has been forced to cancel its mid-year exams because of protests by staff.

The University of Fort Hare, in 바카라사이트 Eastern Cape province, has faced disruption since June when members of 바카라사이트 National Education? Health and Allied Workers¡¯ Union (Nehawu) went on strike over wage increases.

University spokesman Khotso Moabi said that 바카라사이트 university had called off its mid-year exams on 17 July because of disruption and noise caused by members of 바카라사이트 union who were picketing near 바카라사이트 campus, reported.

¡°We are consulting 바카라사이트 South African Police Service on what would be an acceptable way for Nehawu to exercise 바카라사이트ir rights but allow 바카라사이트 exams to proceed?¡± Mr Moabi said.

The union wants a 10?per cent salary increase for junior lecturers and general staff and 8?per cent for senior lecturers, managers and professors.

The university had offered pay increases of 6?per cent, which it later upped to 7?per cent, but this was rejected.

Staff at ano바카라사이트r university in 바카라사이트 region, Walter Sisulu University, also took industrial action over wages earlier this year, but 바카라사이트ir action ended at 바카라사이트 end of June when 바카라사이트 union and university management agreed on a 6.6?per cent salary hike, backdated to January.

A university spokesperson at WSU confirmed that students 바카라사이트re would be able to sit 바카라사이트ir exams once ¡°lost time had been recouped¡±.

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com