Satawu Bargaining & Policy Conference 30/07-01/08 29-07-08

SATAWU 2nd National Collective Bargaining & Policy Conference: 30 July - 1 August 2008

SATAWU will be convening its 2nd National Collective Bargaining & Policy Conference from 30 July – 1 August 2008 under the theme “8 Years of Struggle against Capital - The Vision Remains Socialism”. The conference is taking place at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni on the East Rand. It will be attended by 220 delegates made up as follows; Satawu delegates (200), COSATU National Office Bearers, Cosatu affiliates, International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), SACP, Labour Research Service (LRS) and DITSELA.

The SATAWU Honourary President Archie “ZZ” Sibeko will also be in attendance. He will be acknowledged for the stalwart that he has become for the sterling contribution he has made to the struggle of workers and transport workers in particular as expressed through SATAWU and the struggle for democracy as he celebrates his 80th year and SATAWU celebrates its 8th anniversary.

The opening session of the conference will be addressed by the Satawu President Ezrom Mabyana, COSATU President Sidumo Dlamini and the SACP National Organiser Solly Mapaila. The first session of the conference among others is to receive reports on the State of Organisation, State of Collective Bargaining and trends in the various sectors. The important presentation in this regard will be made by the Labour Research Service (LRS) in challenging SATAWU on how well it has done in advancing its members interests through collective bargaining and whether wage agreements actually kept pace with the ever escalating costs of living spurred on consistent interest rate hikes, increases in the price of fuel, food and most recently electricity. The above presentations will be located in detailed discussions which will take place sector commissions reporting back to plenary with a view to adopt new strategies to enhance our collective bargaining policies and capacity.

On 31 July 2008, a political session will take place in plenary facilitated through a debate between COSATU and SACP panellists focussing on among others the post Polokwane dynamics, balance of forces for a more radical NDR led by the ANC and its Alliance partners, addressing the underlying causes of xenopohobia and positioning of the ANC towards a decisive victory in 2009 general elections.

The second set of commissions will cover a range of organisational subjects including assessing implementation of our 2nd National Congress 2006 resolutions, reviewing recruitment strategies to grow the union, enhancing our capacity to influence transport policy development, enhancing our living wage struggles particularly in vulnerable sectors like taxis, cleaning and security, progress on gender equality and changing mindsets, political issues covering a response to xenophobia and the Conference of the Left, solidarity with the masses of Zimbabwe, international solidarity and engaging on employee share ownership schemes (ESOPS) in the context of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment.

The conference concludes with the adoption of a declaration intended to retain our revolutionary and militant character to drive a unified strategic programme of action until our next National Congress in 2011 and beyond to become the true UNION OF CHOICE for all security, cleaning and transport workers!!

Please confirm your attendance with Cecilia Bezuidenhout @ 011 3336127 or via email @ Cecilia@satawu.org.za

For more information please contact the general secretary Randall Howard @ 011 3336127 or 0825646298