COSATU Weekly News: 21 September 2001

Cosatu President, Willie Madisha, formed one of the four leaders representing organisations at the last week's meeting

COSATU, in conjunction with an Aids lobby group and two church organisation, have made a called to the South African government to increase the national Aids budget and to declare Aids a national emergency.

In a "historic" meeting held last week, the leaders, Archbishop Njokulu Ndungane of the Aids Commission of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, Willie Madisha of COSATU, Zachie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign, and the Reverent Richard Menatsi of the SACB, expressed their commitment in a fight the Aids epidemic.

The organisations said they were concerned that some government officials were making attempts to "downplay" the HIV/Aids impacts amid astronomic fatalities the epidemic was causing in this country. The Medical Research Council, which is headed by Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, gave a report that between four and seven million HIV/Aids South Africans will die in the next ten years if people living with the disease are not treated.

"The MRC report only confirms the experience of our organisations. Our clergy reports
that every week, they are burying people who die of Aids. Young workers are disappearing and dying from "natural causes" in the prime of live, leaving their families behind with no income or support.

Educators and learners are buried alongside each other. Mothers watch their babies die prematurely and unnecessarily from Aids…,"said the leaders. They said no one should deny the terrible extend of this epidemic.

The leaders said the government should ensure that its policies face up to the national emergency caused by Aids, or it will fail the people in both "human and economic terms." The leaders further resolved to set up a working group that will develop shared campaigns to overcome the denial syndrome that has emerged in some official and unofficial circles; and to work with representatives of the civil society to challenge the national leaders to take more positive action on Aids

employees will embark on strike action against its controversial five percent wage. This follows a balloting process by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), which began this week.

Should workers vote in favour of the strike, the government could brace itself for huge disruptions in the services such as waste removals, policing, nursing, education, among others.

More than ten unions in the sector are expected to participate in the action. Amid this impasse, Ingrid de Villiers, a former senior commissioner of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and conciliator in the South African Revenue Services strike, was chosen as the conciliator between the unions and the employers.

The government initially argued for two conciliators, contrary to the PSCBC constitution, which provides for a single conciliator. Nehawu blamed the government of "seeking to destroy" the PSCBS collective bargaining in the public service. "In 1999 we warned about the danger of government disregarding collective agreements and the fundamental basis of collective bargaining.

The Job Summit saw the government retreating from that disastrous path in favour of more constructive collective bargaining. We have been building on that, but increasingly our willingness to compromise has been misjudged by the government as a weakness," Nehawu said.

"The programmes of restructuring have never worked, particularly in the developing nations - in fact they had the opposite effect of killing the economies of developing nations…yet we (COSATU) are advised to be quiet while jobs are being destroyed throughout the economy and inequality and poverty worsens," COSATU deputy general secretary, Bheki Ntshalintshali, told the Food and Allied Workers Union's (FAWU's) National Congress on its first day of its four-day meeting last week.

Ntshalintshali was one of the hundreds delegates from labour movements, government and the tripartite alliance who attended the union's congress held in Johannesburg from 12-15 September.

He said rapid privatisation, tax cuts, capital flight and many other problems in this country has been the results of the government's quest to meet the demands of capital, which he described as the country's real enemy.

"Government is now fond of appeasing the market whatever the costs, the changes in telecommunications policy being a recent example. But as we know, capital's appetite knows no bounds - the more you give the more they want until you have nothing left to give," said Ntshalintshali.

He said the privatisation of state assets would not help the country's poor people; especially those living in rural areas that have no access to essential services such as water, electricity, and public health care system.

"These problems cannot be resolved overnight but the methods adopted by government are not effective in overcoming the deep structural problems in South Africa," he said. He said that was the reason COSATU is against the privatisation programme.

"The working class is now saying enough is enough, we shall not behave like sitting ducks when jobs are being destroyed and essential services being privatised," said Ntshalintshali. He said the two-day strike held last month against government's programme has once more proved that COSATU's seriousness and that it cannot be wished away.

Most importantly, he said, the strike demonstrated that no successful transformation could take place by deliberately marginalizing the voice of the workers.

Privatisation forces "inimical" to the NDR, says SACP…

The South African Communist Party (SACP) reaffirmed its support to the COSATU-led campaign against the privatisation of state-owned assets by the South African government at its Central Committee (CC) meeting held over the weekend. The organisation emphasised the need for government control of public assets to consolidate among others, social delivery, economic growth and the public sector.

"The profit-driven private sector is absolutely incapable of ensuring the efficient, affordable and sustained rolling out and provision of basic social needs like water, electricity, transport, land, telecommunications, health-care and education," said the SACP.

The party also said that the huge structural distortions of the South African and Southern African economies couldn't be addressed by private sector investors, which it said they had "short-term vision". "We need an economically active and strategically effective public and parastatal sector for sustainable economic growth," it said.

The SACP also slammed "well-resourced pro-privatisation forces" within the organisation and the government who have potential interests in the privatisation of public resources, which it said would be "inimical" to the alliance's National Democratic Revolution.

It said there was a necessity to strengthen the working class against such agendas. The party said it would engage its structures and its alliance partners on the way forward concerning the privatisation programme.

"The key objective of the SACP in the coming period is to build the alliance unity around these perspectives. Ongoing popular mobilisation must, at all times, be geared to ensure that we take forward, rather than compromise, the consolidation of a united alliance perspective that enjoys the support and understanding of our mass constituency," said the party.

Meanwhile, the Central Committee of the organisation condemned attacks by terrorists on the United States of America last week. Three hijacked airplanes crashed into the twin World Trade Centre and the Pentagon buildings last week on Tuesday.

The SACP said nothing could justify the "barbaric actions." "In this era of globalisation, cities like New York and Washington are homes to, and workplaces all people across the world," said the SACP.

The organisation said that terrorists responsible for the actions should be brought to book; however, it said "there is a danger that the US administration will take advantage of this tragedy to strengthen forces of repression and international military aggression."

It said it was time for people opposing racism and war to come together in all countries to work for world peace. "We call on all progressives in the US to use this tragedy to open up a rational, intelligent, balanced and introspective debate on the role and responsibility of the US and its people in the world in the struggle to ensure peace, development and a more equitable world.

It is in the self-interest of the majority of the people of America, and all humanity that this happens," said the SACP. COSATU also sent its condolences to the Americans and condemned the attacks.
"We condemn the attacks, using hijacked planes, on buildings in New York and Washington. All peace-loving people will be shocked and outraged at such senseless mass murder."

The federation said that there could be no conceivable political justification for such acts. "The federation sends its condolences to all those who have lost love ones and wishes all those injured a full and speedy recovery," said COSATU.

COSATU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, said no cause could be served through indiscriminate attacks on unarmed ordinary citizens.

In a letter written to the president of the merged American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) immediately after the attack, the general secretary said it was COSATU's wish that the same could not happen again.

"We have not heard of such absolute madness happening at this scale before and we are simply shocked.

You must however know that COSATU and its two million members and indeed all South African workers and people are with you and the entire 13 million members of the AFL-CIO at this difficult moment…we send our deep condolences to families of the victims of this senseless act of extreme terrorism," said Vavi.

SATAWU down tools against Labour Ministry…

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) on Tuesday downed tools against the Labour Minister's failure to implement the crucial wage hike agreement between trade unions and transport sector's employers earlier this year.

SATAWU also said the labour ministry failed to prosecute companies that have failed to implement the Provident Fund. The Fund was promulgated by the Minster Membathisi Mdladlana in terms of the Government Gazette on March last year.

"The employers in this industry have been making a "killing" of millions of rands every month which they have already past to their clients," said the union. The union also accused the labour minister of encouraging the abuse and exploitation of the "underpaid" security officers.

"This results in poor workers and their families being subjected to beyond-the-living wage conditions when their employers are laughing all the way to the bank…the minister seem to forget the fact that the well being of the economy of this country depend on this workers," SATAWU said.

The union warned that if the matter were not addressed soon, picketing would continue countrywide.

SACP condemns "politically motivated" theft…

The KwaZulu Natal region of the South African Communist Party (SACP) this week condemned what it described as a "politically motivated" theft at its offices.

Two computers, hard copies of several political documents and a sum of R2600 were stolen over the weekend from the organisation's car that was parked outside the branch's offices. SACP said the theft was not an ordinary crime as more valuable goods were left during the theft.

"If it was an ordinary crime, the thieves would have also stolen the cheque book and the large number of SACP jackets, t-shirts and other material sold by the SACP…this crime is politically motivated and was well planned," said the organisation.

The SACP said the theft, which is reminiscent to the ones the organisation experienced during the colonial and apartheid era, was aimed at demoralising it.

"All those efforts failed…whoever thinks that through this crime they will demoralise and weekend the SACP they are mistaken. Instead this deepens our resolve to fight for a radical National Democratic Revolution and the achievement of socialism.

We will refuse any kind of intimidation because we are the true representatives of the working class," it said. The organisation further called to anyone with information regarding the theft to contact its offices or the police, who are busy with the investigations.

NUMSA ends four-day rubber and tyre strike…

More than 6 000 workers in the tyre and rubber industry ended their "successful" four-week-old wage strike this week following the employers' offer of eight percent increase.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) on Monday agreed to the employers' organisation, Tyre and Rubber Employers' Association's, eight percent wage increase across the board. The deal is coupled with a three-year wage agreement. Said the union: "The four week strike has been very successful.

The current wage agreement represents the union's national bargaining strategy in the tyre and rubber sector …the increase will close the wage gap in terms of pay." NUMSA thanked the workers for their dedication during the strike despite threats from the employers. It said the strike would have positive short-term and long-term spin-offs for workers.

"The strike action demonstrated that workers couldn't be treated with utter contempt. It proved that the industry cannot use its power to undermine wage increases and flouting the accepted statutory procedures of negotiating in fair manner," the union said.

NUMSA further condemned the employer's body's failure to promote cooperation and unity among all stakeholders in the industry. However, it said that it hoped wage negotiations in the industry would mutually beneficial and balanced in future.

"The agreement is important in mobilising and increasing workers' resource capacity to purchase goods and services in the local economy. This agreement will collectively empower workers to take a stake in the company and absorb the consequences of wage-cuts," said NUMSA.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR NEWS:

An injury to one is an injury to all - world union leaders condemn US attacks

The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) and the British Trade Union Congress (TUC) recently condemned terrorist attacks that took place last week in the New York.

The two trade union federations, which have millions of members organized in various sectors, said airliner crashes into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon has affected the lives of many workers.

"We mourn those who perished as they performed their work, whether in rescue, in offices or on airplanes," said AFL-CEO President John Sweeney.

The president of the TUC, Bill Morris, said the grief of the American people must be shared by everyone. "Their (American people's) determination to uphold democratic values in the face of this assault must be our determination," he said.

COSATU also sent its condolences to the Americans and the AFL-CIO. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) also condemned the attack. "We condemn this criminal attack and we share the pain and sorrow for the victims and families," said the federation's general secretary, Emilio Gagaglio.

Hundreds other trade unions around the world, including the international labour body, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), sent messages of condolences and solidarity to the American workers. Meanwhile, ICFTU general secretary, Bill Jordan, has welcomed the decision by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to cancel their annual meetings in America.

The meetings were scheduled to take place at the end of the month in Washington. The decision by the two institutions follows the protests by the AFL-CIO in demand for the two meetings to be called off in order to devote all energies to the relief efforts for victims of the attacks.

Under half the workforce looks forward to going to work in UK

Only 49 per cent of the workforce looks forward to going to work on an average day in the United Kingdom (UK), according to the first report from the British Workplace Representation And Participation Survey - the most extensive recent poll of workers and their attitudes to their job, trade unions and their employer.

This compares to 66 per cent of the US workforce in a comparable study by Richard Freeman, one of the report's authors. What workers want from workplace organisations, a report to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Promoting Trade Unionism Task Group, also finds that one in 10 of the workforces (nine per cent) say they work very hard on jobs they do not enjoy and to which they do not look forward.

The survey is a contribution to the TUC's Reaching the missing millions report, which found that 'health and safety' is far and away the most common reason members 'consult and inform' their membership, and stressed the role that initiatives like Risks can play in revitalising the trade union movement

Stop pushing world governments to privatise, Jordan tells financial institutions

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has called on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to accelerate much needed reforms. ICFTU general secretary, Bill Jordan, said that the bank and the fund must respond to the spectre of a serious world-wide recession by adopting vigorous policy measures that will create jobs and combat poverty worldwide.

"That will not be achieved if the institutions continue 'business as usual' by forcing developing countries to privatise, liberalise and reduce public spending," said Jordan.

ordan said one of the most urgent measures should be to combat international financial instability and a complete reformation of the international financial system. "Since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the IMF has done much talk but little action to reform the international financial system. Now is the time to act, because the onset of a global recession could lead to financial problems in countries such as Argentina and Turkey spreading to other economies," said Jordan.

Letters

Dear Editor

I am young man from the Northern Province who is now self-employed in Pretoria. Whilst I belong to the privilege few that have a decent job, each time I go to the northern province I am shocked at the pace with which our communities are becoming impoverished as a result of the GEAR induced joblessness.

I am a former activist who became disillusioned due to the dishonesty and greed that has come to characterise most of our comrades.

I know many comrades who are as disillusioned as me. I don't have any doubt that COSATU's defence of the gains of our democracy will revive people like us. I am also surprised at the growing arrogance with which our comrades in govt are turning a blind eye on this tragic situation whilst they give themselves massive increases on their already fat salaries.

The govt also deems it fit to spend billions on arms whilst they throw a few million rands into poverty alleviation projects. I certainly don't need to lecture you on this subject since you are better informed than I am.

My appeal to you is to keep defending the interest of the poor and the working class who are being asked to make a sacrifice whilst the national elite and international capital plunder the resources of the country.

Lets make sure that we mobilise communities and broaden our base to counter the false accusation that COSATU is a narrow workerist federation. In the wake of the greed that has tempted most of our loyal comrades, COSATU and the SACP are the only forces that can defend the poor and struggling people of our country.

Lets go back to the selflessness that we used to serve our people with and stop selling out our nation in return for a fat salary and praises from the IMF and the World bank. These institutions bestow honour and glory to leaders who let children, mothers and fathers go hungry in the name of fiscal discipline.

In conclusion, let me assure you that the majority of South Africans are behind you despite the claims to the contrary by those who have lost touch with the masses. These people are deliberately misleading the nation that they are implementing Gear for the benefit of the nation whilst they know it is not the case.

I fully support your stand. Maybe more emphasis on experiences elsewhere would help your argument further:

This week...

Public sector balloting to decide on the massive wage strike

Workers will fight govt's privatisation to the end

Privatisation forces "inimical" to the NRD, says the SACP

In other news...

Organisations call for a national emergency to be declared on Aids

Public sector balloting to decide on the massive wage strike…

Workers will fight government's privatisation to the end…