Times Of Swaziland: LIMKOKWING WORKERS VOTE TO STRIKE

LIMKOKWING WORKERS VOTE TO STRIKE
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Nkosingiphile Myeni on 02/03/2024 08:45:00


MBABANE – Workers at Limkokwing University of Technology have voted for a
strike action.
These are the workers affiliated to the National Workers Union of Swaziland
Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI), whose majority favoured the strike. Voting was
done through a balloting exercise, a process that was facilitated by the
Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) in terms of section
86(2) and section 86(5) of the Industrial Relations Act 2000.
According to a copy of the results, Mfanimpela HR Dube, the CMAC case management
officer, led the process.
The copy of the letter was copied (CC) to the Human Resource Manager at the
address of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The resolution was
taken on February 28.
Refrained
A total of 55 employees voted while 18 refrained from voting. Out of 73 members,
50 of them, accounting for 68.5 per cent voted for a strike action. Those who
did not vote – the 18 members – make up 24.7 per cent. However, five of the
73 employees were against the strike. They make up 6.8 per cent. There were no
spoilt votes.
The NAWUSHI President Sikelela Ngwenya confirmed the balloting exercise. When
quizzed as to when there strike might happen, Ngwenya said the membership was
yet to meet and determine the next course for the strike action to continue.
Stan Simelane, the Secretary General of NAWUSHI, said the deadlocked over salary
increment for 2023/2024. He said there were 10 items on the agenda, which were
unfortunately not fulfilled by management. Sources said workers were calling
upon management to accede to their demands.
Demanded
Initially, they demanded seven per cent cost-of-living adjustment, which
management turned down in preference to 3.5 per cent that was rejected by the
workers. The workers came down to 5.5 per cent. It is not clear if management
will accede to the five per cent.