As learners and teachers from around the country returned to classes on Tuesday 19 July, more than 20 non-teaching staff at Tembalethu Special School in Gugulethu threatened to shut the institution down over alleged unfavourable working conditions.
They accused the school management of unfair treatment and unilaterally changing their working conditions and salaries, calling for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to intervene urgently.
The workers, mainly bus drivers, cleaners, escorters and securities, picketed outside the school promising to close the facility down if their grievances are not met.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, bus driver Mpumelelo Mafanya accused the school principal of mistreating them.
“Since the school principal took over in 2019 things have become worse,” he said. “We used to get bonuses and salary increases every year, but after his arrival everything changed. Also, our wages were reduced (R200) without our knowledge.”
According to Mafanya, non-teaching staffers’ salaries are paid by the school governing body (SGB). “When we ask about our salary increases and bonuses the principal threatens to fire us,” he claimed.
The driver alleged that at least six workers had been fired since the new principal arrived at the school for enquiring about their money.
He accused the principal of sowing division among workers based on their age. “The principal has created two groups of workers. There’s a group for young workers and another for older workers. His aim is to fire the old staff for the younger generation to take over,” Mafanya claimed.
He stated that they will not back down until their grievances are met.
Bronagh Hammond, director of communication for the WCED, described the claims by staff as “disappointing”. She said the complaints come off at the back of safety concerns raised by some parents regarding the ages of some of the drivers, some of whom are well beyond retirement.
“Regarding the R200 deduction, it is a UIF deduction and this varies according to employee salary scales. And regarding the annual bonus, the SGB employees received a 50%bonus in December 2021 from the funds raised by the principal, because WCED norms and standards do not cater for bonuses for SGB employees. Regardless, bonuses are a privilege, not a right, as it depends on the budget of the school.”
Hammond explained the situation with regard to salary increments; SGB employees received a 10% salary increase in June 2021, based on money fundraised. “Before 2018, there were allegedly no funds to accommodate the salary increment. However, due to fundraising efforts, largely driven by the principal, the increment has been paid.
“The decision to allow for further salary increments is at the discretion of the SGB and not the principal, based on available funds.”
Regarding the allegations that the non-teaching staff work on weekends, Hammond said this forms part of their employment contracts. She said they do not work on weekends unless the learners go out on excursion, and then they are required to transport the learners on a rotational basis. That this forms part of the employment contract which is discussed with them when they are interviewed, and they agree to work on certain weekends.