Organisational Rights and Membership of the University of Pretoria Bargaining Forum(UPBF)

Employees and their representative organisations are a key part of the University of Pretoria community. UP‘s success, its development and ongoing dedication to excellence are not possible without the zeal, passion and perseverance of its staff. It is for this reason that employees are recognised as important stakeholders who play a key role in decision making and management processes.

In accordance with the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, the University of Pretoria extends recognition to organised labour (“trade unions”) that meet the required thresholds for organisational rights and bargaining rights, respectively. Bargaining rights entail the right to enter into negotiations with the University Management at the University of Pretoria Bargaining Forum (UPBF).

The UPBF is a forum consisting of an external facilitator, management representatives and recognised trade unions that are admitted to the forum to promote and maintain a sound relationship between the University of Pretoria as employer and its employees, and to negotiate and bargain collectively to reach agreement on matters of mutual interest between the employer and employees represented by unions.

• The registered trade unions to which organisational rights have been granted, are:
  • The Academic and Professional Staff Association (APSA); and
  • Three coalition unions, namely the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), Solidarity and the University of Pretoria Workers’ Union (UPWO).
• UPBF membership has been granted to the coalition of unions, namely NEHAWU, Solidarity and UPWO.

Potential revisions to the existing UPBF Constitution, which was originally agreed to in 2017, are currently being discussed with the relevant unions.