This week...
In other news...
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1.Cosatu condemns ANC interest -rate
hike
COSATU says is shocked by the increase in interest rates announced
today by the Reserve Bank. This decision will cause direct harm to
working people and the poor, above all by further slowing economic
growth and employment creation. The higher interest rates take place
when:
Inflation remains far below the top of the targeted range.
Growth remains slow by international standards, even if it is higher
than it was in the 1990s.
South Africa has already attracted far too much in the way of short-run,
speculative investment from overseas, adding to overall economic instability
and pushing up the value of the current at the cost of growth in industry.
Unemployment remains far above international norms. Today, one in three
South African workers who wants paid work cannot find it, and two out
of three Africans under the age of 30.
In these circumstances, COSATU wholeheartedly condemns the decision
to raise interest rates. The Reserve Bank is supposed to serve our
people. Instead, it has become a harsh master, contributed to continued
joblessness and poverty.
We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Governor to engage with
him on this burning issue and will consider how we can respond to this
decision through our on-going Jobs and Poverty Campaign.
2. Cosatu welcomes ANC statement
on J.Z
COSATU has welcomed the statement issued by the ANC, which denies
that the ANC is to summon Jacob Zuma to answer certain questions. "We
trust that this matter is now closed - except for those who are hell-bent
on assassinating his character."
Earlier COSATU had noted the contradictory statements by leaders
of the ANC over whether or not ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma is
to be summoned to account for statements made during his recent trial.
In the Sunday Times on 4 June, it said, and later on Interface on
SABC3, ANC National Chairperson, Mosiuoa Lekota, said that "the
NEC has indicated that there are a number of issues and question
that they want Zuma to explain".
However in the Star on 5 June, ANC Secretary General, Kgalema Motlanthe,
is quoted as being "adamant that this was untrue", and
in the Sowetan on the same day, ANC spokesperson, Steyn Speed, says
he also knows nothing about Zuma being summoned to explain his behaviour.
General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, who met Kgalema Motlanthe in
an alliance secretariat meeting on 1 June 2006, confirmed that the
SG did not report any process in respect of the Deputy President
other than what is contained in the ANC NEC statement.
"The manner in which the Sunday Times ran this story," says
COSATU, "based on countless faceless sources claiming to be
members of the ANC NEC, represents a typical example of what the
COSATU CEC raised two weeks ago. Some people, who clearly form part
of a conspiracy, with a clear political agenda, use sections of the
media to run a slander campaign against other members, or even other
leaders, of the ANC.
"The Sunday Times and many others have been engaged in such
collaboration with these unnamed sources for many years. It is a
type of behaviour that completely discredits the newspaper houses
and undermines their independence. COSATU condemns all those faceless
cowards as the people who, if we knew who they were, we could identify
as the people driving our country into dictatorship.
"The ANC NEC statement on 29 May 2006 insisted that there was
no crisis within its ranks. Yet a few days later the National Chairperson
makes a statement to millions of TV viewers which the Secretary General
immediately refutes. This surely proves that there must be a serious
crisis."
3.Gauteng statement on
signs of drift towards dictorship
COSATU's Gauteng Province has expressed its total
agreement with the statement issued by the COSATU Central Executive
Committee on 25 May 2006, which stated that "the main concern
of the CEC centres on signs that we may be drifting towards dictatorship.
This appears in the use of state institutions in narrow factional
fights. We see it in the use of sections of the media to assassinate
the character of individuals through off-the-record briefings and
the leaking of sensitive information in the hands of those charged
to investigate crimes...... Examples include the use of public
institutions, including the NPA against Jacob Zuma, the purging
of allegedly pro Zuma faction in the security services, the arrest
of COSATU leaders at the Swaziland border and in Cape Town and
the heavy handed nature of the police dealings with protests".
"The statement served as a warning," says the Province, "that
our democratic institutions are under threat. The CEC was not saying
that we are already living under a dictatorship but was motivated
by a concern to defend and protect our democracy, which is what
we as Gauteng Province were saying.
"It is completely untrue, as suggested by sections of the
media that there is a breaking of ranks between the provincial
and national COSATU structures. The Gauteng Provincial Executive
Committee (PEC) is fully in support of the CEC statement."
The statement in the Sowetan report on 6 June 2006 that "Both
Cosatu and the SACP previously supported the ANC's deputy president,
Jacob Zuma, as Mbeki's successor" is false. "Neither
body has ever supported any candidate and has consistently said
it is for the ANC alone to decide on who their office bearers should
be. We demand that the Sowetan retract this statement.
"It is also untrue, as suggested in the media, that there
has been a change in COSATU Gauteng Province's view over the Gautrain.
In the context of the positions taken by COSATU in respect of the
Gautrain, the Gauteng Alliance urged the provincial government
to meet with the federation on their concerns. This in no way contradicts
COSATU's submission under Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act
to initiate protest action against this project."
Phutas Tseki, Gauteng Provincial Chairperson
4. Guards strike talks
resume
Talks aimed at ending the current strike in the security sector
resumed on Wednesday under the auspices of the CCMA. No pre-conditions
were set for this particular round of talks, unlike previous sessions
where employers insisted on the union ending the strike.
SATAWU says that both the union and the employer organisations
agree that the dispute has to be resolved once and for all in order
to normalize the industry after over two months of acrimony between
the two parties. "However these latest developments bode well
for SATAWU as it has been our constant demand that the employers
should return to the table and secondly that when they return,
they should not bring conditions; certainly no condition that suggests
that the strike be called off or even suspended."
Meanwhile the President of COSATU Willie Madisha said the greatest
violence in the security sector strike has so far been perpetrated
by the security industry captains against the workers, not the
other way round. Addressing about 3000 striking security workers
in Beyers Naude square in Johannesburg, Madisha said the attitude
of the employers, of violating all labour laws in pursuit of profit
was a clear slap in the face of the new order and should be treated
as such.
He was also critical of the role of the media in his action, questioning
their obvious bias against the striking workers. SATAWU President
Ezrom Mabyana on the other hand called on workers to continue mobilizing
other workers to join the strike because the current dispute is
justified and is aimed at ending a brutal system that operates
in the security sector.
5. Cosatu deplores police
shooting
COSATU has condemned the shooting of a bystander
by police when they opened fire on striking security guards in
Johannesburg on 5 June 2006. "We wish him, and any others
who may have been injured, a full and speedy recovery," said
the federation. "We demand a full investigation into the incident
and disciplinary action taken against whoever is found to have
been responsible for opening fire."
COSATU says it fully agrees with SATAWU that the police should
not be using pump guns in the course of demonstrations, but should
work with the union's marshals to control marches without recourse
to violence. COSATU will back SATAWU's case against the police.
6. Solidarity with striking
SATAWU members
Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary, COSATU
Dear Comrade Vavi,
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wishes to express our
solidarity and goodwill to the striking security workers
under the auspices of your affiliate, SATAWU.
We salute the resilience and prolonged resistance of the
security workers despite the hostile official reaction,
especially in the Police Force, which we understand, appear
to be far too ready to use violence. We also applaud the
solidarity and support that the strike has received from
your federation.
Congress encourages the security workers and SATAWU to
remain steadfast in the best tradition of the South African
working class and ensure that their demand for enhanced
wages is met.
Kindly convey our best wishes and solidarity to the striking
workers and to other members of SATAWU. Please, accept
the renewed assurances of our highest esteem.
Fraternally yours, for and on behalf of the Nigeria Labour
Congress:
John E. Odah, General Secretary
7.Construction workers
demand R3000 minimum wage
Over 15 000 members of the NUM in the civil engineering
component of the construction sector, have begun their wage
negotiations with the South African Federation of Civil Engineering
Contractors (SAFCEC).
"Construction is on an upswing as a result of the massive
investment infrastructure development in our country. Given
that construction workers, in general, are poorly paid even
though they work under difficult conditions, we would hope
the employers would see the need to compensate our members
correctly as opposed to just filling their own pockets in
this present context of a boom", said Crosby Moni, NUM
Deputy President and leader of negotiations in the construction
sector.
The union has presented the industry with a set of demands
that include, among others:
-
15% wage increase across the board
-
R 3000.00 minimum wage compared to the
current R 1440 for the lowest paid, and R 1800 at a higher
level.
-
R 10 000 funeral cover to the R 7500 currently
in place
-
Education, training and development of
workers
-
"It is important," says the union, "that
the profits that will accrue to the construction industry,
as a result of government infrastructure spending, are shared
with these workers. It is a known fact that construction
workers contribute a great deal to the construction of our
cities' and road infrastructure. Most spend long durations
of time away from their families, living in temporary shelters
along our roads, while creating a comfortable and convenient
passage and abode for the populace. Yet these workers remain
underdeveloped and poorly paid."
"The skill, training and education development of construction
workers is just as important as we build our country. It
is important that as they erect a school they should be able
to access the education it offers", said Moni. The next
round of negotiations will be on June 13.
Update: SAFCEC totally rejects union demands for improvement
in wages
In what seems to have been a total display of arrogance
and disregard for demands tabled by construction workers,
the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
(SAFCEC) rejected all the demands placed before them.
Crosby Moni, the Deputy President of the NUM and leader
of negotiations in the construction sector, said "the
debased attitude displayed by these employers indicates that
they are not yet prepared to enter into negotiations with
us. Starting on a wrong footing like this one demonstrates
that the road ahead is going to be an unpleasant and bumpy
one".
In responding to the demands that the union put before them,
employers have indicated that when any increase is considered
its cumulative increase should not be more 3.3%. Furthermore,
they are not willing to negotiate on any of the other matters.
Effectively, on the basis of this turn of events, it would
mean that there should be or cannot be negotiations in the
sector.
The union has opted to go back to branches to give feedback
on these developments. We will also come back on June 13
to meet with employers, with the hope of nudging them to
see reality.
8.Church, union officials
agree to explore new partnership
Leaders of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and
the NUM met for an hour this week at Khotso House in Johannesburg.
Participants included NUM President Senzeni Zokwana, NUM General
Secretary Frans Baleni, SACC General Secretary Eddie Makue, and
Ecumenical Secretary of SACC Gauteng, Rev. Gift Moerane.
The NUM requested the meeting in the wake of the controversial
remarks concerning Christianity and public morality made by Senzeni
Zokwana at the NUM Congress in late May. He apologised unreservedly
for his 'ill-judged' remarks. "A large number of our members
are active and devout Christians and they greatly value Christian
teachings and ethics," Zokwana said. "Many union leaders
would not be where they are had it not been for the values that
they acquired from the church and from their faith."
The SACC General Secretary acknowledged the pain that the NUM
President's comments had caused to many people, but he expressed
appreciation for his frank admission of error. "The long-term
relationship between the NUM and the SACC is far more important
than this particular incident," said Makue.
"We recognise that the Church has a critical role to play
in the nation," NUM General Secretary Frans Baleni said.
He stressed the union's desire to partner with churches around
a range of issues, including the abolition of single-sex hostels,
combating the spread of HIV/AIDS, promoting sustainable development,
creating quality jobs and building commitment to ubuntu as a
shared public value.
The SACC welcomed the opportunity to explore new partnerships
with the NUM, and proposed the formation of a task force to identify
a common agenda for action.
9. 5% wage increase
for footwear workers
Footwear workers will receive a 5% wage increase with effect
from 1 July this year.
This wage increase results from a 2-year collective agreement
concluded during the early part of last year between two employer
organisations [Southern African Footwear and Leather Industries'
Association (SAFLIA) and the Association of Small & Medium
Manufacturers of Footwear and Allied Products (ASMAP)] and
two labour unions [Southern African Clothing & Textile
Workers' Union (SACTWU) and the National Union of Leather & Allied
Workers (NULAW)].
The agreement states that footwear workers will receive a
5% wage increase with effect from 1 June 2006 should the CPIX
be less than 5% as at 1 March 2006.
According to Stats SA, the CPIX in March was 3.8%. The agreement
further provides for an increase in the shop stewards leave
from 5 days paid time-off 7 days paid. Trade union office bearers
will receive an additional 3 days' paid time of for trade union
activities.
The agreement is effective until 30 June 2007 and it covers
approximately 11 400 workers in 148 footwear companies throughout
the country.
10.Cosatu deplores
police shooting
COSATU has expressed shock at the news of yet
another serious accident at a Sasol plant, this time an explosion
at the Venko Park paraffin plant in Sasolburg and has sent
best wishes to all those injured.
The federation has called for a thorough inquiry into this
latest blast to determine the cause of the blast and whether
there was any negligence. "In particular we want to know
if any of the work at the plant had been outsourced and whether
this played any part in the accident, as it did in the Secunda
blast in 2004.
"It is just a few days since Sasol announced the launch
of a compensation fund for the victims of that accident. While
this move is welcome, we would much prefer an accident-free
safety environment at Sasol in which workers can work without
fear of death or injury."
11.SACCAWU members
fighting on two fronts
Magpie workers on strike
Workers at Magpie organised by SACCAWU are on a legal strike.
Parties have engaged each other in the CCMA to conciliate the
dispute between them but agreement could not be reached. Members
have been balloted and 94% voted in favour of a strike, which
commenced on 31 May 2006. The workers are demanding:
-
An end to casualisation and wage discrimination
-
Three weeks guaranteed 13th cheque
-
-
Company contribution to
Provident Fund
-
Workers have resolved to withdraw their labour until management
resolve to meet their demands.
The other strike is at Karan Beef, the largest distributor
of meat in Gauteng, who are embarking on a legal strike today,
9 June 2006. Parties have been engaging with each other but
the company has refused to negotiate or to recognise the union
in the company. Workers have resolved that the union should
serve a 48-hour notice to the company and this has been done.
Workers are demanding:
-
12% increase to all permanent staff
-
R2100 per month as a minimum wage
-
An
end to racism and racial discrimination
in the company
-
A union recognition agreement
-
An end
to victimization of union members
-
The company to
employ all casuals
as permanent workers.
Forward with the living wage! Forward with the struggle to
end casualisation!
12.Cosatu President
supports Palestinians struggle
Open letter in support of Canadian union's
resolution in support of the Palestinian people
To: Sid Ryan, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees
(CUPE), Ontario
On behalf over 1.7 million South African workers organized
under the banner of COSATU I greet you in the name of worker
internationalism. It is this solidarity, since the formation
of the very first union and across space and time, often in
the face of harsh repression, that provided vital moral succour
and allowed workers to strengthen their resolve against oppression
and exploitation.
In this spirit and with great pride, I congratulate CUPE Ontario
for their historic resolution on May 27th in support of the
Palestinian people - those living under occupation and those
millions of Palestinian refugees living in the Diaspora. We
fully support your resolution.
As someone who lived in apartheid South Africa and who has
visited Palestine I say with confidence that Israel is an apartheid
state. In fact, I believe that some of the atrocities committed
against the South Africans by the erstwhile apartheid regime
in South Africa pale in comparison to those committed against
the Palestinians.
The latest outrage by the apartheid Israeli regime-the construction
of the hideous Apartheid Wall - condemned by the International
Court of Justice - extends the occupation of Palestinian lands,
disrupts the already precarious economic, social, health and
education well being of an entire people and entrenches the
Bantustanisation of Palestine.
When the governments of the world turn a blind eye to these
injustices; when they are seduced by apartheid Israel's justification
of brutality through the pretext of 'security'; when they silence
criticism of state terror through the canard of 'anti-Semitism'
- then it is time for the global workers movement to stand
firm and principled against hypocrisy and double standards.
We cannot remain silent any longer. It is time to stand in
word and in deed with the peoples of the Middle East and heed
their call to support the struggle against occupation. There
will be no peace in this region and in the world, without justice.
Despite the action of some Western governments and big business,
workers and democrats of the world including the citizens of
Canada, heeded our call when we struggled against apartheid.
Boycotts, disinvestments and sanctions against the apartheid
regime in South Africa hastened our march to democracy. Why
should it be different for Palestinians? In the face of an
intransigent, arrogant, racist and brutal Israeli state, this
strategy of isolation-particularly since the vast majority
of Palestinians support it-should be applied to Israel as well.
It is a peaceful option.
South African workers will never forget the support given
by the Israeli state to the apartheid South African regime.
In the same way we will never forget the thousands of acts
of solidarity of ordinary citizens around the world who sustained
our struggle through the boycott weapon.
COSATU supports the demand that Apartheid Israel must respect
and implement all resolutions passed by the United Nations;
that the right of return of Palestinian refugees must not be
compromised; that Israel respects the democratically elected
government of Palestine; and that Palestinian taxes collected
by Israel must be returned to the elected representatives of
Palestine unconditionally.
Those supporting the ideology of Zionism and the pro-Israeli
lobby will muster their substantial resources against you.
Despite these pressures, we ask you not to doubt for a single
moment the correctness of your just stand.
We salute the courage and vision of CUPE Ontario's leadership
and members in unanimously passing resolution 50. Your unwavering
resolve inspires us, we who lived through decades of apartheid
oppression, as it will undoubtedly inspire and endear you to
millions of Palestinian and other freedom loving people throughout
the world.
In Solidarity,
Willie Madisha, President, COSATU
13.Hamba kahle Uriah
Maleka
COSATU and the ANC are mourning the passing
on 4 June 2006 of struggle veteran Uriah Maleka. He died in
hospital having earlier suffered a mild stroke.
Uriah Maleka was a founder member of Umkhonto we Sizwe, and
served the people of this country in various capacities with
utmost dedication, respect and selflessness. As a leading full-time
activist of the SA Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), he understood
that the struggle of the workers is inseparable from that of
the broader society. He worked tirelessly to mobilise all sectors
of society to unite and confront the oppressive apartheid system.
COSATU sends its condolences to his bereaved family, friends
and comrades. The funeral will be on Saturday 10 June, at Ganarishane,
near Jane Furse, starting at 07h00.
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