Dear UP community,

Yesterday, 22 February 2024, court papers were served on striking workers, informing them of our decision to obtain a court order to maintain order and safety amidst ongoing strike action. This court order seeks to prevent striking workers from engaging in certain activities that disrupt the operations and undermine the safety of the University community.

These measures include:

• Limiting picketing activities to the designated area on our Hatfield Campus, as outlined in the Picketing Rules.
• Prohibiting picketing near or on any other campus, except in the designated area.
• Preventing intimidation of non-striking employees, replacement labour, or any other individuals.
• Ensuring no obstruction of vehicles or traffic entering or leaving University premises.
• Keeping entrances and gates on all campuses unobstructed.
• Allowing access to all members of the public, including visitors, employees, students, and service providers.
• Prohibiting any unlawful or violent actions, including intimidation, cercion, threats, assault, or damage to property.
• Enforcing a minimum distance of 100 meters from any entrances of the University's campuses, except in the designated area.
• Restraining any unlawful interference with the University's operations, activities, and academic programs.
• Prohibiting any violent or unlawful conduct in pursuit of wage demands, including harassment, assault, prevention of services, interference with traffic, and damage to property.

Yesterday, university management and union leadership met for discussions, and we will continue our engagement today. We are committed to resolving the disputes through constructive dialogue and within the boundaries of the law.

Attached is UP’s Urgent Application which was filed at the Labour Court yesterday. The matter is on the roll for Tuesday 27 February 2024. NEHAWU has acknowledged receipt of the application.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.