State university workers in Zimbabwe, represented by the Zimbabwe State Universities Union of Academics (ZISUUA) and the Zimbabwe Universities and Allied Workers Union (ZUAWU), are demanding a salary increase to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
The unions claim current wages are too low to afford basic necessities. Following stalled negotiations with their employer, they have issued a 14-day strike notice, according to a statement released by the unions.
“It is with great sadness that we write to you as the Zimbabwe Universities and Allied Workers Union (ZUAWU) and the Zimbabwe State Universities Union of Academics (ZISUUA), hereby referred to as the Zimbabwe State Universities Joint Council, on behalf of all State universities workers, formally notifying you of our fourteen (14) days’ notice period of intention to embark on a strike,” reads the statement.
The unions say previous attempts to engage constructively have come to no avail.
“Regrettably, our previous efforts to engage you have never materialised, even though you are our de facto employer,”
Adding to the frustration, the statement indicated that commercial projects initiated by the universities are unable to generate enough surplus to contribute to employee salaries.
“We would like to bring to your attention that the State universities innovation hubs and commercialised projects are failing to generate surplus funds to cater to university workers’ salaries,” reads the statement.
This, combined with the harsh economic climate, leaves the employees struggling to afford essentials like food, rent, education for their children, and healthcare.
“The high cost of living coupled with our meagre remuneration has resulted in our failure to meet the basic needs such as feeding ourselves and our families, paying rentals, clothing our families, transporting ourselves to work, paying utility bills, paying school fees for our children and covering medical bill shortfalls.
This situation has plunged university workers into gross incapacitation.”
