Pressure mounts as Wits security guards fight against inequality

by | Apr 18, 2024 | News

Campus protection management accused of unfair treatment resulting in a petition signed by securities.

Security personnel under Campus Protection (CPS) at Wits University have formally complained about “unfair treatment” by management. They allege that there are unequal salary structures between them and their counterparts in the Crime Prevention Response Task Unit (CPRT).

Wits Vuvuzela interviewed several CPS security officers who said they feel “undervalued”. They said CPRT employees receive special attention and superior benefits such as higher salaries, the promotion of duties, and a better-looking uniform.

“We need Wits Vuvuzela to speak for us, the National, Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) seems to always favour our management,” said one the CPS security guards who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of victimization.

“I will not even try apply for a better security position because I know CPRT officers are always first preference, yet I have been working here before this unit was introduced, who sees us?” asked a frustrated CPS officer.

Now, 320 security guards have taken it upon themselves to sign a petition. “The petition addresses the division and unfair treatment between the Campus Protection services and Crime Prevention Response Task Unit, unequal salaries for the same duties, and not being compensated enough for working overtime,” explained a CPS officer.

Thabo Modise, the branch secretary of NEHAWU Bheki Mkhize Wits branch, said: “NEHAWU agrees with its members that the introduction of CPRT was not necessary. In fact, it has brought about low morale and hatred among officers at Wits.”

He explained that in 2017, NEHAWU successfully advocated for security officers to be insourced at Grade 15 after negotiations. Subsequently, a phased approach of harmonization between NEHAWU and Wits in 2019 and 2020 led to a significant 14,66% increase in salaries for security officers, elevating them to Grade14.

However, disparities appeared with the introduction of CPRT towards the end of 2021 and early 2022, prompting NEHAWU’s appeal for equal pay at CCMA in 2022, which was not upheld due to CPRT officers being considered specialised therefore earning a bit more.

Wits Vuvuzela made an effort to afford protection services director, Gary Kruser, a right of reply, but emails to him went unanswered a week after the fact.

Security personnel hope their needs will be eventually resolved as they still want to remain protecting the staff and students of the institution.

FEATURED IMAGE: A security guard who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. Photo: Katlego Mtshali

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Teachers in action over wage disputes – Jay Caboz

by | Jul 20, 2012 | News

by Jay Caboz

Published in the vuvuzela, 20 July 2012

This week’s protest march by Wits academic and support staff was the result of months of frustration following failed wage negotiations according to union representatives.

Academics and support staff have called for an end to what they say has become a deadlock in annual negotiations. The university has rejected their demands on pay, governance and conditions of service.

Vuvuzela has reported on increased hostility in the negotiations between the Academic Staff Association (ASAWU) and vice chancellor Loyiso Nongxa.

The academics are demanding a 9% salary increase for support staff, the establishment of a childcare facility for Wits employees and an end to overselling parking permits in non-designated parking areas, among other things.

In a statement released on July 10, Nongxa said he recognised the unions’ right to protest, as long as it did not interfere with the rights of students and other members of the Wits community to access services on campus.

Last month roughly 150 academics and staff picketed outside the entrance of the basement parking in Senate House. Some staff members told Vuvuzela they earn as little as R20 000 a year, despite working at Wits for more than 20 years.

During the negotiations in June, the university said it would cost around R60-million to implement the increase demanded.

The unions are expected to march again on August 2.

The protest action is supported by the Members of the Administration, the Library and Technical Staff Association, the Academic Staff Association of Wits University and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union.

Follow more of the strike action on our online segment www.witsvuvuzela.com

The list of demands

– a 9% salary increase for support staff, to be paid at a higher scale at the 75th percentile of the tertiary education sector benchmark
– decent salaries to be given before performance regulations were initiated;
– a resolution of the dispute on shift allowances
– an agreement on sliding scales to advance equity
– the establishment of a childcare facility for Wits employees
– an end to overselling of parking permits in non-designated parking areas;
– an increase in individual research incentives

jay@witsvuvuzela.com

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