May Day Message

01 May 2020
01 May 2020

Dear EU Member

We commemorate this 1st of May, 2020, in a time when workers' struggles are increasing and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year celebrates 134 years since the start of the huge strike for an eight-hour day, the right to organise, fair working conditions, among other labour matters - in Chicago and other cities.

This 1st of May finds us fighting for the same conquests in the workplace, where we demand greater inclusion in all areas of the University and to achieve equality and self-determination in our domains.

Please take a moment today, celebrate your contribution to the University of Cape Town, The Republic of South Africa and the world at large.

 As stated in the previous communication, your union continues to work on your behalf, to ensure that your rights and wellbeing remain foregrounded in the minds of the university management.

We have recently contacted management, where we needed our concerns addressed regarding the future of employees of the university. Changes in levels of lock down do imply that there will be time when staff members of the university will return to work. The union needs to know:

  • what plans are to ensure that adequate measures are in place for our safety, in line with the prescripts of the law
  • what support will the university give to employees that are infected with COVID-19 when we resume duties
  • what plans are to ensure that there is no income and/or job losses
  • how the university is supporting employees working from home including refunding parking and Educare fees
  • what the university is doing to minimise its costs from other investments and prioritise the retention of staff servicing its core business

Unfortunately, we have not received any feedback on these and other matters that we summarised here. Nevertheless, we are confident that this submission prompted the latest message from the COO, Guidelines on staffing matters during COVID-19

We will continue to update you with any developments.

Regards

Executive Committee
UCT Employees Union
University of Cape Town