TUT Strike
TUT Strike, Pretoria – The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is to extend its registration period to accommodate students who were unable to register on time as a result of the strike over salary increases.
The official closing date for registration was supposed to be Friday, but due to a strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and the National Union of Tertiary Employees of South Africa (NUTESA), which had disrupted academic activities and registration at the institution, the university said it will accommodates students who failed to register by the cut off time.
The university has encouraged students to register online at www.tut.ac.za, by clicking on the enrolment 2009 button and selecting online registration. Students will need a pin code indicated on the January 2009 registration letter and those who have forgotten their pin codes can phone 012 382 5523 for assistance.
Students who are unable to register online can still follow the normal registration process or make use of the self-help stations at the various TUT campuses in Pretoria, Pretoria West, Arcadia, Ga-Rankuwa and Soshanguve.
Online registration at self-help stations can only be done during TUT office hours.
The unions embarked on a strike last week demanding an 11 percent increase across the board and a reversal of the downgrading of workers so that they can also receive the 11 percent increase.
According to TUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Errol Tyobeka a comparison of higher education salaries indicates that TUT salaries are on average 10 percent to 15 percent ahead of the higher education sector in total.
Professor Tyobeka said the university has in the current negotiations with the labour unions, made an offer to staff of a total increase of 12.5 percent made up of a 10 percent general salary increase across the board for all staff except capped members.
Two percent to address annual notch increases and backlogs and 0.5 percent will go towards a once-off payment to capped staff, he said.
He noted that TUT was a public non-profit making institution of higher learning.
Registration for senior students was open until January 30 whilst registration for first years was from January 12 to 19. The classes are expected to start on Wednesday.