Satawu press release on its campaign 07-11-07

 

SATAWU PRESS RELEASE ON ITS CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH HIV AND AIDS

7 DECEMBER 2007

SATAWU remains committed to the struggle against HIV and AIDS focusing on awareness, counseling, treatment and care within the union, in the industries where we are organized and in the communities where our members live.

We continue to make serious efforts within Satawu, its staff and members to encourage voluntary testing in the context of "Know Your Status Campaign", safe sex and behavioural change as a fundamental platform which has been endorsed by the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

At workplace, bargaining council and industry forum level we continue to engage organized employers with a view to reach agreements addressing the following:

1. Avoiding all forms of discrimination
2. De stigmatization of the disease
3. Counseling - Education and Awareness by social workers during working hours
4. Treatment - Access to drugs
5. Implementation and Monitoring

Our campaign this year takes place under theme of "LIVING WITH HIV AIDS MEANS A QUALITY LIFE IS POSSIBLE" which is focused on caring for people in the community living with the disease. In terms of the campaign, the Satawu Gauteng Province will be visiting the St Francis Home today at 10am which is a hospice in Boksburg on the East Rand that cares for people living with AIDS and orphans. The purpose of the visit is to demonstrate that as transport, cleaning and security workers we care and will support such homes.

Satawu will continue to build partnerships at industrial and community level with a view to ensure that the fight against the scourge of the pandemic continues. Therefore, government must stop sending mixed messages if all citizens particularly the youth including young workers are to heed the call for behavioural change as the most effective means to stop the spread.

Satawu National Gender Forum and the Central Executive Committee has in the context of supporting the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM Campaign have called on all its members not to abuse women and children under the theme, "PROGRESSIVE SATAWU MEMBERS DO NOT ABUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN". This message has been communicated in workshops to create awareness including and on t-shirts for leadership and members. The Satawu Western Cape held a special workshop on 1 December 2007 focusing on the campaign through educating shopstewards.

The delegation will be made up of the Satawu National Office Bearers, Gauteng Provincial Office Bearers, National and Provincial Gender Office Bearers and shopstewards.

Please contact the Deputy General Secretary @ 0766351493 and the Provincial Secretary, Xolani Nyamezele @ 0798869010 for more information.