'Our members never went on strike - Why is our pay docked?'

THE National Teachers Union is fuming after its members' salaries were docked yesterday though they did not take part in last year's public servants strike

Teachers in KwaZulu-Natal who got paid yesterday said four days' pay had been deducted from their salaries.

According to the department of education, teachers were on strike for 12 days. This means that four-days' pay would be deducted from their salaries until 12 days' pay has been reached.

Natu deputy president Allen Thompson said their members had been intimidated while some had been assaulted by striking teachers, who had forced them to join the protest.

Thompson said they were surprised that the department had adopted a blanket approach by deducting money from all teachers.

"Our members were on duty and risked their lives to remain in class. The department has even docked the salaries of teachers who were on leave or suspensions," Thompson said.

A teacher yesterday told Sowetan that between R1200 and R2500 had been deducted from their salaries.

He said teachers had heard reports that principals who were on strike at some schools did not submit attendance registers to district offices as required.

"We have given the department a few days to sort this out. If the deductions are not reversed, we will go to the courts to recover the money deducted from the salaries of our innocent members," he said.

Acting superintendent-general Simon Mbokazi said they had obtained attendance registers from schools as proof to establish which employees had been on strike or on duty.

Mbokazi said the department would not recognise the leave or sick leave of teachers who did not come to work after the unions had declared the strike.