Wage talks between Witwatersrand University (Wits) and labour unions were still continuing, the university said on Friday.
“The management of Wits University is committed to continuing negotiations in good faith with two unions - Asawu and Nehawu, and to resolving the salary dispute as soon as possible,” said spokeswoman Shirona Patel in a statement.
She said a proposal was put forward to the Academic Staff Association of Wits University (Asawu) and the National Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) on August 1.
This was followed by a counter-proposal from both unions. Management replied and invited both unions on Wednesday to resume negotiations on Friday.
Asawu informed management on Thursday evening that the notice of the meeting was too short and declined to attend.
Both Asawu and Nehawu indicated they would reply to Wits management with a suitable time and date for a meeting next week.
Wits deputy vice-chancellor Professor Rob Moore said management hoped to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible, with Wits' academic programme not disrupted by the dispute.
A third union, the Wits Administration, Library and Technical Staff Association (Altsa), signed an agreement on August 27. - Sapa