THERE is no end in sight in the impasse between workers at the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) and management, as the former has rejected a 3% cost of living adjustment (CoLA) offer.
The offer was reportedly made by the university’s management during a meeting with the workers’ representatives on Wednesday.
The workers said the proposed 3% CoLA package comprised a 1% adjustment for the 2023/24 financial year with 12 months’ back pay, and a 2% adjustment for the 2024/25 financial year, also with 12 months’ back pay.
They said the management had also proposed to pay the 1% CoLA and back pay over two months in February and March, while the 2% adjustment plus 12 months’ back pay would be payable over another two months in May and June.
However, the workers turned down the offer, saying they would only consider a minimum of 6% CoLA. They said they would accept if the 6% adjustment plus 12 months’ back pay would be split into two, with 3% for each of the two financial years, both with 12 months’ back pay.
The workers said they might also consider 5% CoLA instead of the offered 3%.
Initially, the workers had demanded a 7% CoLA, with adjustments dating back to 2022, citing the sustained rise in the cost of living and the prolonged delay in implementing any salary adjustments.
Since January 12, SANU employees, affiliating under the Swaziland Health Institution and Allied Workers Union (SHIAWU) and the National Workers Union of Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI), have been engaged in a strike action over management’s failure to implement CoLA since 2022.
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The strike is also driven by the alleged non-remittance of pension contributions dating back to 2023.
SHIAWU had claimed that approximately E11 million in pension contributions remains outstanding, affecting both current employees and retirees, a situation the union says has caused anxiety and financial uncertainty among workers.
SHIAWU President Bonginkosi Tsela said the university management stated that the terms of payment of the 3% CoLA were informed by the fact that the institution currently does not have enough funds to settle the workers’ payments.
With the current stalemate, the workers remain resolute to continue with the industrial action until a consensus is reached.
Meanwhile, SANU Registrar Sipho Mhlanga confirmed that management had proposed the 3% CoLA offer to the workers.
He said although the proposal was made, workers were informed that management would remain open to further negotiations in due course as they await an outcome of Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo’s Cabinet application for funds.
Mhlanga emphasised that the university currently does not have enough funds to meet the workers’ demands.
He added that the institution’s management was still to meet to forge a way forward.
