The University of Cape Town management was meeting with the institution’s academics’ union on Wednesday to avert a strike at the institution.

Wednesday marked the second day of discussions into proposed salary increases.

The union has rejected the university’s offer to increase salaries by 10 percent. It is demanding a 15 percent hike.

Staff members have threatened to go on strike, should these talks fail.

UCT Vice Chancellor Dr. Max Prince said they would do their utmost to avoid industrial action.

“We certainly understand and appreciate and take seriously the issues that have been raised and are of concern to academics. We were negotiating all day yesterday; we made some progress and we’re continuing with negotiations today,” said Prince.