This week...
In other news...
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1.WTO talks breakdown - COSATU statement
In light of the breakdown in the mini-Ministerial talks at the WTO,
it is critical that a constructive way forward be found.
The main cause of the breakdown in talks was the refusal of the countries
of the North to accept the implications of their commitment to a developmental
round. Any agreement must demonstrably meet developmental needs and
avoid imposing further burdens on the poor countries.
We reject the
idea that developing countries must accept deep cuts in tariffs in
exchange for an end to unfair trade practices in the
North.
Any solution must protect the ability of poor countries to implement
policies to develop their economies and meet the needs of their people.
No sustainable solution can involve deepening poverty and unemployment
in countries that already suffer from joblessness and hunger.
Ultimately, too, any agreement that undermines development in the
South will also undermine conditions for working people in the North.
Given the deep divisions between the parties, a successful way forward
has to avoid premature tabling of lopsided proposals. Rather, it
should ensure inclusive consultation, continuing the kind of bottom-up
process initiated in the past few weeks
Such a process will inevitably
be slow, but can do far more to narrow differences than premature
efforts to "split the difference," ignoring the serious threat
that current proposals of the EU and US pose to equitable and sustainable
development in the economies of the South.
It is therefore critical
that the parties avoid unrealistically tight
deadlines. Clearly, it was a mistake to insist on trying to finalise
negotiations this week, when the parties were still far apart from
each other.
Start with broad consultation to identify the needs, concerns
and ideas of all the parties. Reject apparent compromises that
would undermine the developmental impact of the round. No compromise
proposals should be tabled by
the Director General until the parties have considerably narrowed
their differences through broad, open consultation and discussion.
2. NUM leader dies in hail of bullets
The NUM has lost one of its key regional leaders. Comrade
Elias Mulaudzi, the branch chairperson of Driefontein gold mine in
Carletonville, was murdered while on his way home from work. "
This is a great loss to us all the pivotal role comrade Mulaudzi played
in knitting his branch into one of the most united structures, and
the biggest branch in the Carletonville region. Driefontein seems to
be intent in maintaining a solid record in being the slaughterhouse
of key leaders of the NUM in the region. We pass our condolences to
the entire Mulaudzi family, the union mourns with them and will remains
by their side in this period of tragedy and sadness", said Frans
Baleni, the General Secretary of the NUM.
Comrade Elias Mulaudzi follows two other NUM leaders killed in and
around the Driefontein mine. The first was Selby Mayise - regional
chairperson - killed "by workers" in the late 1990s,
followed by Stokie Monyemoratwa - deputy regional chairperson -
who was shot by unknown assailants in 2002. The killings of these
union leaders, appearing to be isolated criminal incidents, seem
to have a connection with the past factional violence of Driefontein
mine. Although in the 1990s it bore an overt and public feature,
it now seems to have taken a low intensity and covert character.
Yet against this
insecure and unstable environment, the Goldfields management has
not seen it fit to heed the union's call to integrate the hostels
so as to move away from a tribal allocation of accommodation.
" Not so long ago there were people who wanted to kill comrade
Mulaudzi and so, maybe, just maybe they have finally got him. As
in the case of comrade Stokie, the person who killed him was not
even working at the mine and he comes from the heartland of KwaZulu-Natal.
Why this keeps happening in Driefontein, and each time there seems
to be a lull?" said Mbuyiseli Hibana, regional secretary of
Carletonville. Except that the assailant has been arrested and is
currently in
custody, detail is still lacking around the incident. What is of
concern though is that those who tried to kill comrade Mulaudzi,
recently, are already walking the streets freely. Just as there
is an ever-present threat to the lives of our leaders in this mine,
so is the freedom with which their assailants bring them down and
walk the streets afterwards. Details on the funeral, and arrangements
thereof, will be communicated later.
COSATU also shocked at murder COSATU said it was deeply shocked,
angry and saddened by the murder of Comrade Elias Mulaudzi, the National
Union of Mineworkers branch chairperson at Driefontein gold mine
in Carletonville. The federation sent its condolences to his family,
friends and fellow workers and trade unionists. "
If it is true," said COSATU, "that police have already
arrested the alleged killer, we congratulate them and demand that
he be bought to justice without delay and that any possible accomplices
be arrested and charged.
" We also demand an inquiry into the background of this tragedy
to investigate whether it could have been avoided. Mine workers risk
their lives daily working in dangerous underground conditions. It
would be intolerable if we were to return to the situation where
their lives were equally at risk when they are travelling to and
from work. Everything possible must be done to promote workers' safety,
both in the mines and their communities.
3. SATAWU accuses company
of racism
SATAWU members employed at the Ekurhuleni company,
Imperial Cargo have launched a scathing attack on their company
and complain bitterly about the way it is run. They accuse the
management of the company of racism and have asked the Department
of Labour to investigate their claims so that facts can be established
once, and for all. They have also invited the media to investigate
these claims so that these tendencies are exposed. Chief among
their complaints is that the company continues to separate their
amenities according to race. Whites and blacks do not use the same
toilets ands rest rooms. The ones for whites are substantially
better than the ones for black people.
When SATAWU went to investigate
the claims, we found it was true that whites and blacks do not
use the same toilets and that the black toilets were filthy and
bear. They did not even have toilet paper instead newspapers were
neatly cut and put in a box next to the seats while showers, sinks
and dressing rooms were old, shabby, unhygienic and terrible. The
white facilities, which we accessed in disguise, were neat and
well equipped. Rest rooms even have pool tables, microwave ovens,
an electric kettle and a fridge.
Workers also claim that salaries are also determined
racially, with white workers getting higher salaries than their
black counterparts, even on instances where the white workers are
unqualified and the black ones qualified. The work "kaffir" is
said to be still very much in use at the company and many black
workers complain that they are ridiculed and
that the government and national leaders are mocked routinely.
One worker had his children nicknamed by white colleagues as
Bobby and Jan so that when they called them it would sound like
bobejaan.
One SATAWU member Tumisang Sepeng, was recently fired for daring
to ask why he was made to work till 8pm and thereafter left to
walk to the train station alone, in spite of the dangers this poses.
He was fired without a hearing.
4. SATAWU's leaked internal
memo
SATAWU wishes to confirm that a reporter representing
Talk Radio 702 contacted them claiming that he was in possession
of a memo written by the leadership urging their members as well
as regions and leaders to exercise caution with regard to utilization
of resources. "
We have no doubt," say SATAWU, "that this memo was leaked
deliberately. It was never intended for media or even public consumption.
We suspect that the person or persons that leaked it did so for
mischievous reasons linked to the coming elections at the union's
national congress next month. In trying to portray the
current leadership as financially incompetent, however, the people
who leaked this memo regrettably undermined the excellent work
and integrity of the organization. We will investigate this fully
and find out who these faceless people are.
" The internal memo, we suspect, is being
referred to is dated 20 June, 2006. This particular one informs
head office, regions and staff that we are experiencing cash flow
challenges and urges leadership and staff to ensure that resources
are not wasted so that our constitutional meetings and activities
can proceed. At some point it urges regions that activities, such
as some regional congresses be postponed to get the union back
on the right footing." The memo confirms that all the activities
that had been postponed will be held during the month of July and
that the cumulative figure owed to
creditors stands at R3 million. "It is an amount that includes
all expenditure including the security campaign, the Transnet
campaign, the salaries, rent and all activities our union is
involved in. However, it is an amount we all know and are servicing
prudently.
" The National Office Bearers of SATAWU, in
conjunction with the finance department, has a responsibility to
bring attention to regions where necessary, when our expenditure
reaches excessive levels this is standard oversight responsibility
we exercise. Our intention is to ensure that expenditure is minimized
because we believe this is prudent
financial practice.
" We can therefore reassure you that there
is no threat whatsoever that SATAWU may be declared bankrupt. All
our financial obligations are met on time and effectively."
5. Dispute at Impala
Platinum over maternity leave and housing
Workers at Impala Platinum, the second largest producer of platinum,
near Rustenburg, have declared a dispute against the company. This
followed a meeting that was looking at the implementation of existing
agreements between the parties. According to Thabiso Poho, the union's
representative
in Impala, "
management shows no care whatsoever by wanting to increase hostel fees,
close kitchens and residential blocks thereby impacting negatively
on accommodation arrangements in other hostels".
It is claimed
that the company is raising the question of cutting costs, which
is why it is doing this. This is indeed very strange given the boom
in the platinum sector of the mining industry. That Implats does not
want to convert the single sex hostels into family units in order to
avoid these problems can only mean that they think these men are perfect
in compounds where they are enclosed like animals. What is also of
concern to workers is that the medical aid offered by
the company does not enable them to include their spouses and dependants,
and they cannot use it outside of the company because when they do
so they have to bear the costs.
Another cause of the dispute is the
fact that, while pregnant women do go on a four months paid maternity
leave, their jobs are not secured upon their return and in most cases
they lose them. This can only remind us of the dark days of apartheid
when black women were subjected to birth control by racist white companies.
For a big company such as Impala to be involved in such inhumane practices
leaves a bad taste in our mouth. The union has declared a dispute and
will be engaging in internal dispute resolution processes with the
management in the coming weeks.
6.Petroleum unions
and employers reach deadlock
The National Executive Committee
(NEC) of the NUM, among other important issues, begun discussions
on the political
paper released by COSATU. The NEC is held over two days,
6-7 July. " The Purpose of the NEC to begin discussion
on this document is to enable regions to have a framework
perspective on which they can interact with the issues raised.
In this way, branches and regions will have a base from which
they can participate in provincial congresses of COSATU,
in the run up to the Congress in September",
said Frans Baleni, the General Secretary of the NUM.
The
NEC would, in engaging with the political input, speak
to the questions of dictatorship and governance, and the
relevance
of maintaining the Alliance. Other important issues the
National Executive Committee will address itself to are:
the response of the ANC to the SACP Central Committee analysis
of the present political situation, and whether or not
it is opportune for the SACP to contest elections on its
own.
These are viewed as important matters in that our branches
and regions have begun debating these issues without guidance
from the leadership structures.
" It is important that we pronounce on
these current debates, even if it's not in a conclusive manner,
but in a way that assists
our members to develop their own understanding and become
empowered to engage", said Baleni. A post NEC press
conference, hosted by the General Secretary, shall be held
tomorrow (July 7) afternoon, at 15h00, at the head office
of the
union.
7.Fuel levy will
place hardship on working class
CEPPWAWU, SACWU and Solidarity
reached a deadlock with the National Petroleum Employers
Association (NAPEA) over wages and working conditions.
The National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry
(NBCCI)
could
not resolve the dispute between the above-mentioned unions
and employers in the Petroleum Industry. The Unions will in
due cause give a 48 hour notice for industrial action and subsequently
go on strike. The unions will always be ready to continue to
discuss mechanisms to resolve/unlock the deadlock.
8. NEHAWU Kimberly
Provincial Legislature members on strike
COSATU Western
Cape is opposing the fuel levy announced by the Western
Cape government. "The effect of such a levy" says
the Province, would be to move the greatest burden of this
special tax onto the poor people who spend a far greater
proportion of their income on transport.
" The effect of this tax will be to
increase the costs of taxi and bus fares, as well as having
an inflationary impact on food.
This drastic measure was announced without agreement at the
PDC, the structure government committed to engaging the
social partners on policy." COSATU will be taking
action to oppose this harsh tax on workers and says it
would be happy to explore discussion on progressive taxation
policy if additional income for service delivery is required.
" COSATU would further want to remind
provincial government that since this tax was first mooted
to provide funds to upgrade transport, national government
has allocated billions of rands for this purpose that the
provincial government could use.
" We urge provincial government not to place this huge burden
on the poor people of the province and to consider alternative
tax structure that move the tax burden to the wealthy."
9.Global union federation
demands reinstatement of dismissed Honduran trade union leaders
In their previous statement, NEHAWU said that
they will conduct a ballot for a possible strike by our members.
The ballot did take place on 28 June 2006 and members present
unanimously decided on a strike.
"
A notice was served to the employer as required of us by law.
The strike ultimately started on 5 July 2006. It is worth mentioning
that during our 7 days notice period, our members were intimidated
by the employer.
" He wrote letters to our members who
were nominated to accompany Members of the Provincial Legislature
on a study tour to Botswana on 11-15 July 2006. The employer
wanted to know from these members as to whether or not they
would be part of the strike. We deem this action as intimidation.
We see no reason why the employer wanted to know
whether or not they would participate in the strike. " The
employer also threatened union members a day before the strike
by informing them that if they participate in the strike and
do not attend the training scheduled for them, the cost will
be recovered from their salaries. The employer should have
rescheduled this training as they have received the 7 days
notice of the union's intention to strike.
" The employer served the union with a
notice of lock-out which is effective from 6th July 2006, however
on 5 July striking workers
were informed by a Senior Manager, Mr. TH Milford and the police
that they are not allowed to use the toilet facilities and
may not purchase any refreshments from the Kiosk. " Management
at this stage has shown no intention of resolving the dispute
as management has made no effort to resolve this matter, also
some of them, including the Acting-Secretary (Mr MZ Mawasha)
and
the Acting Chief Financial Officer (Mr JST Mekgwe) is scheduled
to leave the country to Botswana on 6 July.
The strike still
continues!!
9.Global union federation
demands reinstatement of dismissed Honduran trade union leaders
The Global Union, representing workers in
the garment sector has demanded the immediate reinstatement
of nine trade union leaders fired by Tiara, a company operating
in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. In a letter addressed to Jacobo
Kafaty, General Manager of Tiara in the export processing zone
of Calpules, the International Textile, Garment and Leather
Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) has warned that the dismissals
were a blatant violation of the internationally-recognised
right
of freedom of association.According to Neil Kearney, General
Secretary of the ITGLWF: "The
nine workers dismissed are members of the leadership of SITRATIARA.
The union was granted recognition in May and therefore its
leaders are
entitled to legal protection". "
The company claimed the workers were dismissed as part of a
supposed 'restructuring', but in reality there is no doubt
that the leaders were dismissed for exercising the right to
organise.
A few days earlier, company supervisors had stated that the
company would not tolerate a union.
"
Moreover, the company has rejected the involvement of labour
authorities in the matter. First, it refused to allow a labour
inspector to enter the premises when he was sent to verify
the violations. Then, the inspector was allowed to enter, but
both the General Manager and the Head of Personnel refused
to see him". Concluded Mr. Kearney: "Respect for
the internationally-recognised right to organise is an obligation
under the Honduran Labour
Code.
But it also beneficial to companies, since good industrial
relations based on mutual respect and social dialogue are an
essential element to ensure a company's competitiveness in
international markets".
The Global Union has demanded the reinstatement of the
union's President, María Zenia Gómez; its General Secretary,
Eusebio Martínez Alvarado; its Treasurer, Laura Peña
Bonilla; its Proceedings Secretary, Francisca Rivera; its Vice-President,
Marquín
Anael Vásquez; its Education Secretary, Santos Manuela
Banegas Aguilar; its Cooperative Affairs Secretary, Mirian
Martha Guerra Barillas; its Press and Propaganda Secretary,
Olga Janeth Domínguez González;
and its Fiscal Policy officer, Mayra Suyapa Carraxo Baquedano.
The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation
is a global union federation bringing together 220 affiliated
organisations in 110 countries with a combined membership of
10 million workers.
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