Pay hike meeting yields nothing – University Lecturers Union

Chancellor College Academic Staff Union (Ccasu), in reaction to last week’s communication from government that salaries had been increased by 15 percent to all employees in the statutory corporations ,including Unima, said the university management communicated nothing to the dons regarding the increment.

Ccasu president Sunduzwayo Madise said they had not been communicated to on the 15 percent or any offer by Unima management.

Said Madise: “When we met management, they had no offer for us. So, there is no offer on the table for us to start negotiations on.

“But even if we were, the question we have is on what economic parameter is the 15 percent based? We have an economic justification why we requested for an increase. Is the 15 percent backed by economic rationale, especially when it is touted as ‘a cost of living adjustment’ as well as to cater for annual notches?”

The Ccasu president said in any event, Unima made a special request for funding and the 15 percent increment does not address that request.

“It is strange that government wants to paint all parastatals with one brush. Clearly, each parastatal has its own unique set-up, problems and salary structure. The parastatals are also of differing national importance.

The Nation could not reach the Unima management to comment on the development on Sunday.

The Chanco lecturers on Thursday gave the Ministry of Labour 21 days to resolve the dispute or they would be left with no option but take an industrial action.

The Malawi Polytechnic, another constituent college of the Unima and Mzuzu University (Mzuni), are already on strike to press government to make the 113 and 21 percent adjustments, respectively.