This week...
In other news...
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1.COSATU supports strikers
COSATU has pledged its full support for the many workers who are currently
involved in strike action in support of demands for better pay and
conditions. They include the Kumba mineworkers, Rustenburg Provincial
Hospital workersthe contract cleaners, Kraft Foods workers and Shoprite
Checkers staff.
"These workers all have one thing in common," says the federation:
" they are amongst the lowest paid and most exploited but work mainly for
large companies that pay massive salaries to their senior managers." For
example:
-
The Chief Executive Officer of Kumba, Con Fauconnier,
is resisting the unions' demand for a modest increase of 10.5% for
the lowest paid workers and 9% for the rest, yet he awarded himself
a 35% increase last year, and is offering only 8% and 7% rises to
the workers.
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Shoprite CEO Whitey Basson took home R58.9 million
in 2005, but agreed to pay a mere 7% increase to its 52000 workers
in 2005 and is now resisting a demand for a 10% increase for these
low-paid workers, which would amount to an average rise of only R30
a month. Shoprite's lowest paid workers receive as little as R900.
The retail sector has, according to the latest survey on directors'
fees carried out by Labour Research Services (LRS), the highest gap
between the top and bottom
paid, reflecting the combined effect of the exceptionally high packages
paid to the chief executives in this sector, at an average of R18
million, and the exceptionally low average minimum wage of just more
than R19 000 a year in the sector.
-
Contract cleaners in rural areas earn R1099 a month;
in urban areas it rises to R1371. Yet the National Contract Cleaners'
Association dismisses the unions' demand for increases on these paltry
wages, of 12.25% in urban areas and 15.25% in rural areas as "impossibly
unrealistic" and is offering 6%, which is hardly above the level
of inflation.
According to the LRS survey, the average increase in minimum wages
during 2005 was R150 a month compared with the average increase in
pay to executive directors of R50 000 a month. The LRS calculated that
the average remuneration for a chief executive was R7 million, excluding
gains from share options. The average minimum wage for a blue-collar
worker was R25 000.
On average "a worker will have to work 183 years to earn what
an executive director earns in a year and 270 years to earn what a
chief executive earns in a year". In this context, COSATU has
warmly welcomed President Thabo Mbeki's
Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture, in which he took up a theme articulated
many times by COSATU. He deplored the growing tendency to pursue "personal
enrichment at all costs" and "the deification of personal
wealth as the distinguishing feature of the new citizen of the new
South Africa".
He contrasted this with the principles of "social cohesion and
mutually beneficial human solidarity", and shared the concern
expressed by George Soros at the rise of "market fundamentalism
and the dominance and precedence of the capitalist motive of private
profit maximisation".
COSATU says it could not agree more: "Surely the President would
agree that the employers, such as those mentioned above, are prime
examples of this selfish 'get rich' mentality. They make huge profits
from exploiting the labour of their workers, award themselves massive
salaries and bonuses, and yet expect their workers to struggle to survive
on poverty wages.
"As a result we now live in what is officially the most unequal
society on earth."
As the COSATU Congress Discussion Paper says: "The rising level
of inequality can be seen in the decline in workers' share in the national
income between 1994 and 2002, while the share of profits increased.
"According to the Labour Force Survey figures, 17% of all officially
employed people in South Africa earn less than R500 a month, 34% earn
under R1000 a month and a total of 60% of all workers earn less than
R2500 a month. An income of R2500 per month between five (two parents,
two children, and a grandparent) translates into an income of about
R30 a day per person. Access to employment is therefore in itself not
a ladder out of poverty. The millions of workers who earn below
subsistence level remain trapped in poverty and desperation."
The workers of South Africa embody the values which the president
wants to defend - solidarity and mutual support. We should therefore
rally behind the strikers who are trying to begin to narrow the vast
gulf between the poorest and richest in our nation by negotiating for
modest increases in the real living standards of the lowest paid. They
are not pursuing the selfish goals of their employers but fighting
for the principles of what the President defines as "social cohesion,
human
solidarity and national reconciliation", and deserve the support
of the nation.
2. SAACAWU rejects Shoprite Checkers
final offer
SACCAWU has rejected a threat by the management of Shoprite Checkers
to unilaterally impose a wage settlement on its 50 000 employees.
The company's Personnel Director, CJC Burger, has today, 3 August
2006, written to SACCAWU to make a "final offer" to its
workers. It includes an increase of R265 across the board to all
permanent full-time employees and a new minimum of R1800 a month.
"This offer," says Burger, "is open for acceptance
by the union until 16:00 on Sunday 6 August 2006. If this offer is
rejected, it is our intention to implement the proposal to all staff
by no later than Tuesday 8 August 2006.
"We accept and understand that an implementation might have
severe implications for the collective bargaining relationship. Although
we have no desire to undermine the union, we feel that the current
dispute has dragged on for an unacceptable period of time."
In reply SACCAWU General Secretary rejects this 'final offer' and
points out: "What you present as a final offer was already your
position presented at the time of agreeing to disagree at the CCMA,
which the meeting of 31 July 2006 viewed as an insult and contemptuous
of your employees and the union representing them, and they outrightly
rejected."
SACCAWU repeats its demand for R300 or 10%, whichever is greater,
and warns Shoprite Checkers "to desist from any unilateralism,
or unilateral implementation, as such will definitely exacerbate
the already tense and fragile situation, the consequences of which
you will be held responsible and liable for."
The union cautions the employer that "no amount of rumours,
divide-and-rule tactics and/or sowing of confusion will distract
members and the union from their genuine, fait and reasonable demands".
The union however remains prepared to meet management at any time
to engage on our current positions.
3. NUMSA joins FAWU in
support of 11-week kfart strike
FAWU and NUMSA members have been picketing outside
Kraft's Foods' premises during lunchtime for the duration of this
week as build-up to a FAWU-led march on Tuesday 8 August 8, 2006,
in support against the company's refusal to concede to our members'
reasonable demands. 800 Members of NUMSA came out in support of
the 11th week strike by 314 permanent workers at the Kraft Foods'
Elandsfontein plant.
FAWU workers have been on strike since May 25 this year as a result
of a dispute over wages and retrenchments. We believe that the
company has plans to downscale permanent workers in favour of casuals.
The multinational also refuses to pay workers the norm of three
weeks severance packages like South African companies do. Workers
have accepted a 6,5% wage increase but management reverted back
to their offer of 5%.
All meetings to resolve the dispute between the two parties have
failed. FAWU says it is up in arms. "Our members have been
out on strike for eleven weeks and with the 'no work, no pay' rule
in mind, we are eager to resolve the impasse as soon as possible
before the strike turn into a prolonged strike similar to that
of our sister union, SATAWU, a few months ago." Support from
the international IUF campaign against Kraft Foods, is mounting
and support letters will be handed over to the company on the day
of the march.
Marchers will gather at Makro taxi rank at 10h00 in Woodmead,
Sandton and proceed to hand over a memorandum to the Kraft head
office in Woodmead at 13h00 on August 8, 2006. The march will be
led by office COSATU's National Office Bearers.
4. Help FAWU defend jobs
from Krafts
Kraft, the second largest food company in the world is presently
trying to crush trade union organisation in its factory in Elandsfontein
in South Africa.
The Food and Allied Workers Union is trying to protect jobs in
a country where unemployment is running at 43%. Kraft's actions
are the latest in its world wide job cutting programme that has
seen another seven factories close so far this year on the way
to its target of 560 million USD "costs" savings for
2006.The 314 workers have been locked out since May 29th when the
company imported scab labour to do their jobs. In its determination
to protect jobs FAWU is seeking assurances
on job security and a severance payments scheme that treats all
workers as equals.
Help these workers in their fight for jobs and send a message
of protest to Kraft by logging on to:
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/campaigns/show_campaign.cgi?c=185
5. NUM unanimously rejects
Kumba's latest offer
Following a process of consultation in all of the branches,
members of the NUM have arrived at a decision to reject
the offer Kumba Resources made yesterday.
"Members also feel that their contribution needs
to be recognised and, as such, affirmed. Consequently,
they opted to reject 7.75% and 8.75% of the company",
said Eddie Majadibodu, NUM's Chief Negotiator.
The broad consensus that has emerged from the branches
is that the union should but on the table a settlement
offer of 8% for higher earners and 9% for the bottom end
of the scale. "This, in our view is a good compromise
which we think will bring the strike to a halt and ensure
that we return to work as soon as possible", said
Jackie Tshimanegape, NUM's Coordinator at Kumba.
The union believes that its proposed settlement offer
goes a long way in trying to meet the company half way
and, at the same time, cover the needs and aspirations
of the workers. It is not in our interest, both the company
and the union, to drag the strike unnecessarily. We are,
actually, a lot closer to one another on the issues on
the table than we seemingly wish not to accept. Therefore,
in the spirit of trying to bring finality and rebuild relationships,
we hope our position will be
met favourably.
6. Cosatu condemns
the increase in the intrerest rate
COSATU has strongly condemned the decision
of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the interest
rate by half a percentage point. " The current inflation
rate remains well within the target range set by the government.
In these circumstances, we do not see any reason for the
increase in the interest rate, given the likely impact of
slower
growth and employment creation." COSATU has consistently
argued that the inflation target must not be prioritised
over national developmental objectives. Unemployment is at
40% and monthly expenditure by half of all households is
less than the indigency level of R800 a month. For this reason,
ASGI-SA sets a target of halving unemployment and poverty
by 2014.
We expected the MPC statement to at least evaluate
the likely impact of higher interest rates on achieving the
ASGI-SA targets, rather than acting as if the inflation target
is the sole national goal. The MPC's decision once again
demonstrates the problems with adopting an inflation target.
It seems the Reserve Bank is happy to choke off broader developmental
strategies and long-term growth as long as it can keep inflation
below 5% - even though that is far stricter than the national
policy. Meanwhile, a continued rise in interest rates will
cause hardship to working people both by increasing the cost
of living and by slowing job creation.
In these circumstances, we again call on government to end
the inflation targeting regime. If it does not do that, as
a minimum it should ensure that equal weight is given to
the targets of halving poverty and unemployment. Moreover,
the Reserve Bank should be required to target the entire
band, not just the lower limit.
7.Pietermaritzburg
High Court decision regretted
COSATU has expressed regret at the decision
of the Pietermaritzburg High Court to accept the National
Prosecuting Authority's application to postpone the trial
of ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
"This is not acceptable, given that the charges were
first laid in June 2005, at which time the NPA said that
they had a strong case. We cannot accept the argument that
the NPA have to await the decision on its appeal against
the Durban court ruling that they must return, and cannot
use in the trial, documents unlawfully seized from Jacob
Zuma's house in August 2005, two months after saying they
had enough evidence to prosecute him. The trial should therefore
have proceeded today on the basis of the charges laid in
June 2005.
"The NPA's request reinforces the view of COSATU's
Central Committee in August 2005 that "we are dealing
with a concerted politically inspired campaign aimed at destroying
the political career
of the Deputy President".
COSATU reiterates the resolution passed by the CC:
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To call on the President of South Africa
to review the decision to relieve Comrade Zuma of his responsibilities
as the Deputy President of South Africa.
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To call for the withdrawal of all the
charges against Comrade Zuma. It is clear that he would
not get a fair trial.
-
If the case goes ahead despite our calls,
COSATU demands a fair hearing and a full bench to hear
the case. We will ensure that whenever Comrade Zuma appears
in court, our people will demonstrate en masse.
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To call on COSATU affiliates, members and
the public to contribute to the "Friends of Jacob
Zuma Trust Fund" to support Comrade Jacob Zuma by
assisting with his legal costs and well-being.
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To engage the Alliance in the context
of the NGC decision on this matter, in order to find a
political solution and avoid divisions that could result
from this saga.
8.Welcome to the
new Bafana coach
COSATU has welcomed the appointment of the
new coach for our national soccer team. Carlos Alberto Parreira
has the experience, qualifications and technical know-how
required to reposition the national soccer team.
But the appointment of the coach is not in
itself the solution we need for the crisis in soccer. Rather,
it must form a component of a broader strategy. SAFA must
realise that it cannot deliver results unless a range of
other measures are taken. Only with stronger support from
SAFA, the players, the clubs and all our fans can the new
coach help lift our standards to levels that would allow
us to compete with the nations of the world in 2010 and beyond.
It is critical that we outline the challenges ahead. Otherwise
we will unfairly expect miracles from the coach.
The coach is taking over a ship that has ground to a halt.
Ten years ago FIFA ranked South Africa in the top 20 worldwide.
Today our rank is at 72. Ten years ago we were the deserving
winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. In this year's cup,
we could not even score a single goal before being deservingly
booted out. We are whipping boys even at the COSAFA
level.
The crisis in South Africa is part of the challenge facing
African soccer as a whole. Notwithstanding this year's gallant
efforts by Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and previously by Cameroon
and other countries, no African country has come anywhere
close to winning the World Cup. It is all too likely that
Africa will host the World Cup for the first time in 2010,
only to watch from the sidelines whilst teams from other
continents compete for the prize.
The poor performance of the national squad reflects the
deeper crisis running from the premier soccer level down
to the amateur level. In the 2005/6 Premier Soccer League
season, the highest goal scorer had a paltry 14 goals - and
he is a foreign player.
It is a serious problem that the new coach does not have
good material from which to choose. We no longer have defenders
of the standard of Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, David Nyathi
or Sizwe Motaung. We don't have midfield players anywhere
close to what we had in Doctor Khumalo, Shoes Moshoeu, Eric
Tinkler or Linda Buthelezi.
We have lost basic technical skills. Few of our players
have the ability to trap a ball, pass accurately or shoot.
We don't have a dead balls specialist who can bend a ball
or execute a banana kick.
Addressing this problem is the starting point. This is what
we must struggle to change in the run-up to the 2010 World
Cup in South Africa. We must take this picture into consideration
before we raise our hopes for the new coach to unrealistic
levels.
Only a broad and systematic development strategy can address
the shortage of new talent. That is the responsibility of
the SAFA leadership, not the new coach. If we don't find
the quality players of the future, the coach of the national
team will be left high and dry. Quality is only produced
at the club level.
At the centre of an effective strategy must be the creation
of provincial and national academies to identify players
with potential in the schools and amateur levels. The national
coach can then help mould the products of this process.
COSATU accordingly reiterates its demands that SAFA take
urgent steps to address the weaknesses and stop the decline
in quality. The first step must be to convene a soccer indaba,
in line with COSATU's long-standing demands.
The players with international experience, the club coaches,
SAFA and other stakeholders such as the players' union must
be roped in to explore ways to improve all aspects of soccer
development.
This process should culminate in a programme that will take
the soccer to new heights.
Whilst we do this, our people - our 45 million coaches -
must exercise more patience and understand the need to support
a systematic reconstruction process.
This type of process takes time. To succeed, it must start
as soon as possible. But we are sure that if we undertake
the necessary steps, South Africa can still make its mark
in 2010 - not just as a host,
but also as a competitor in the World Cup.
9.congratulations
on DRC elections
COSATU has congratulated the people of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo on their historic elections. It is a magnificent
achievement by all the people to have held free and peaceful
elections in a country which has long been plagued by civil
war and foreign intervention, and which has never in the
past been truly free or democratic.
"We hope that when the results are announced," says
the federation, " the verdict of the people will be
accepted by all. We look forward to the country entering
a long era of democracy, peace and stability so that it lives
up to its name of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"COSATU also wishes to record its appreciation and
thanks to the South African Government, members of the IEC
and the SANDF and the many observers, including several from
COSATU itself, who all, at their personal risk, played a
crucial part in contributing to the success of this democratic
process."
10 .Rusternburg Provincial Hospital
dispute
NEHAWU members who participated at the Service
Delivery Campaign march on 20 June 2006 were suspended by the
Rustenburg Provincial Hospital. As a result negotiations between
the hospital management and unions resumed and an agreement was
reached on 27 July 2006 that action against these workers would
be withdrawn and the CEO of the hospital would be placed on leave
while allegations against her were investigated.
Amongst the allegations against the CEO are as follows:
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Harboring people within the premises of the
institution who are not
employed by the institution at the expense of the hospital
budget.
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Interfering with employment policies in the
hospital, therefore
forcing management to employ her friends.
However, the head of the health department in the North West
breached the agreement when she reinstated the CEO without notifying
the workers and unions involved. Union members demonstrated their
anger and frustration today at the hospital and decided to embark
on a sit-in action. They called on the MEC of the North West
Health Department and
the North West Premier to intervene as a matter of agency.
But the unions have not made any progress in resolving their
dispute. They say management are not willing to negotiate but
have taken the route of seeking an interdict to prevent the workers
entering the hospital premises.
The unions have resolved to hold a march of all COSATU affiliates
on 16
August from the Rustenburg Municipal Offices to the hospital
to demand
that the minister intervenes and adheres to the agreement made
last
week to withdraw all charges against workers who took part in
protest
action in June.
11 .Cosatu sends best wishes
to Fidel Castro
COSATU has sent Comrade Fidel Castro best
wishes for a full and speedy recovery from his illness,
and many more years of service to the people of Cuba
and the world.
COSATU also sent greetings and best wishes to the team,
headed by Comrade Raul Castro Ruz, who will be temporarily
taking over the reins of power. We are confident that
they will continue the fight against US imperialism and
in defence of the gains of the Cuban revolution.
COSATU holds the President of Cuba in the highest esteem.
As General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on 7 November
2000, "Comrade Fidel Castro represents and continues
to be a symbol of freedom, love, selfless sacrifices
for the human kind and is clearly the leader of the left
forces who yearn for a world free of exploitation and
oppression"
Comrade Fidel holds a special place in South African
hearts because of his decision to deploy thousands of
soldiers to help our African liberation struggles. The
freedom of both Namibia and South Africa was advanced
by many years by the victory of Cuito Cuanavale by SWAPO
and Cuban forces. We will never forget the debt we owe
the people of Cuba and their leader.
COSATU pledges help to repay this debt by playing its
full part in the international campaign to free the Cuban
Five, the Cuban citizens who have been illegally and
unjustly imprisoned in the US for the last five years.
Viva Comrade Fidel Viva!
12 .Police raid ZCTU regional
office
On Friday 28 July 2006 at around 1500hrs,
four police officers comprising a Detective Inspector
Renco, Inspector Nyarambi and two others stormed the
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Northern Regional Offices
in Chinhoyi, about 100 km from Harare and confisticated
2 100 flyers which contained information about ZCTU's
campaign against high taxation.
The ZCTU is saddened by the action of the police and
views this as violation of trade union rights by interfering
in the activities of the trade union movement. This comes
barely a month after the Government was requested by
the ILO to take measures to ensure the right to freely
organise and associate is not impended in law and practice.
These flyers do not contain subversive material, which
can cause mass action as the police officers suggested.
They are part of our campaign to protect the interest
of our members.
The ZCTU Secretary-General, Wellington Chibebe, has
since writtenprotests letters to the Ministers of Public
Service, Labour and SocialWelfare, the Hon. Nicholas
Goche and the Minister of Home Affairs,Kembo Mohadi.
Another protest letter has been written to the Officer
commanding Makonde District, under whose jurisdiction
the police
workers work.
13 .Sadtu NEC resolutions
The NEC (National Executive Committee)
of SADTU met in Johannesburg from 1 - 2 August to address
the major challenges and priorities facing the Union.
The NEC brings together the national and provincial leadership
of SADTU representing 230,000 members - nearly two-thirds
of South African teachers. SADTU is the largest union
in the public
sector and the second largest union in South Africa.
SADTU NEC resolved:
To donate R50,000 to SATAWU
To lobby SACE to improve service to members
To nominate Madisha for COSATU President
On reviewal of IQMS
To welcome a national teacher development strategy
On support for teacher unity with CTPA
On progress on temporary teachers
On problems with new FET Bill"
President Willie Madisha opened the NEC meeting with
the following warning: "In recent months the media
has reduced the South African revolution to two individuals
- support or opposition for Mbeki or Zuma - diverting
attention from the real challenges facing our people.
This is leading to divisions amongst comrades and preventing
progress in terms of our National Democratic Revolution.
When we come to the SADTU National Congress at the end
of the month we must deal
with the critical educational and other challenges that
face our members."
Much of the time of the NEC was devoted to preparations
for SADTU's National Congress which takes place every
four years. The Congress decides on policy and charts
the strategic direction for the Union in the coming period.
The Congress will take place under the theme:
"Empowering educators to reposition SADTU for peoples'
education and working class power."
The NEC resolved on the following areas:
SATAWU Strike - To donate R50,000 to SATAWU (South African
Transport and Allied Workers Union) to assist in covering
costs incurred in the recent strike of security workers.
Some of South Africa's most exploited workers fought
a lengthy three month strike against some of the most
reactionary employers in the country.
South African Council for Educators - NEC resolved to
lobby SACE to improve service to members. Many educators
have not received their certificates of registration
from SACE. As a result they have difficulty when applying
for employment. SACE and the Department of Education
must not allow these bureaucratic delays to prevent or
delay the employment of teachers, particularly new entrants
to the profession. As long as these problems remain,
it should not be a condition of employment to have a
SACE certificate. SADTU will raise this issue with the
Minister of Education. SADTU's representatives on SACE
will also be working hard to ensure that SACE delivers
a quality service to the teaching profession.
COSATU nominations - Willy Madisha, President of SADTU
and current President of COSATU, was nominated by the
NEC for the position of President in the upcoming elections
at the National Congress of COSATU in September 2006.
IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) - there
has been poor implementation of the IQMS resulting in
uneven payment of pay progression between provinces.
This has been raised in a meeting with the Minister of
Education who will be addressing the problems raised.
We await a review process from the side of the Department
of Education. One of the possibilities is to look seriously
at de-linking appraisal for the purposes of pay progression
from teacher development.
FET Bill - There are serious implications for conditions
of service of educators in FET colleges in terms of the
new Bill. SADTU has raised the issue in the Education
Labour Relations Council. Consultation meetings are to
be held with stakeholders in the provinces in this regard
Temporary teachers - NEC was pleased to note that most
provinces haven now taken steps to make temporary teachers
permanent. The process is still outstanding in the Eastern
Cape and Limpopo.
SADTU and CTPA to unite - The Cape Teachers Professional
Association resolved at their national congress in July
to adopt clear timelines for unity with SADTU. The CTPA
is a long established progressive union of professional
educators with approximately 10,000 members. CTPA was
the first teacher organization to adopt the Freedom Charter
as its
guiding document.
Licensing and teacher development - SADTU previously
rejected the notion of re-licensing of educators on the
grounds that it had not been discussed with the profession,
it did not address the need for teacher development and
there were serious issues of the capacity of the Department
to implement. At a recent meeting with the Minister of
Education, SADTU's concerns were addressed. The Minister
assured the Union that the issue of licensing had been
wrongly taken out of context by the media and that she
remained committed to teacher development to go hand
in hand with systems of teacher appraisal and accountability.
To this end a draft national teacher development strategy
will be issued by the Minister during August. This will
be in time for the SADTU congress at the end of this
month. SADTU welcomes this undertaking and is eager to
engage with the Minister's proposal in this respect.
14 .Cape Town march against
Israeli
COSATU is supporting the march in Cape Town on Saturday
5th August, starting 10am from Keizergracht [next to the
castle] to parliament. Our President Willie Madisha will
be one of the speakers. Let us march to protest against
government inaction; let us march to let the world know
the views of the people of South Africa. Phone our Western
Cape
Provincial Office on 021 448 0045 for more details.
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