Unima strike ends

University of Malawi (Unima) support staff yesterday resumed work after staging a week-long sit-in demanding a 10 percent salary increment and arrears.

The move followed an agreement between the Unima Council and University Workers Trade Union (UWTU) that the workers should be given the 10 percent increment as demanded.

In an interview yesterday, UWTU president Mike Namandwa said they were satisfied that their demands were met and that the issue did not take long to be resolved.

He confirmed that the support staff were back to their normal duties.

Said Namandwa: “Of course, there have been some challenges but as of now, the staff have gone back to work. Any issues that may come, we are going to handle them.”

A press statement signed by Namandwa and Unima Council chairperson the Reverend Dr Billy Gama, applauds the staff for showing commitment to resolve the issue which further led to the mutual agreement.

It reads: “Council has agreed to give a 10 percent salary increment to all support staff in the university with arrears from 1st July 2017 and UWTU has agreed to return to work on Monday [yesterday] 22nd October 2018. To this effect, a communique containing the relevant details of the agreement reached will be signed by both parties.”

“Council applauds UWTU for its commitment to resolving the dispute and the spirit of the discussion leading to the mutual agreement thereof.”

The dispute between management and Unima clerical and technical employees dates back to 2017.

In June 2017, Unima Council pledged to adjust the workers’ salaries by 25 percent, but only managed to effect a 13 percent increment, which has been the bone of contention all along.

The strike affected libraries, laboratories and clinics which are operated by the support staff.