Volume 9, No.4 - October 2000

United and Strong

Trade Unions

Two Super new unions

COSATU's goal of "One industry - one union, one country - one federation!" has come another two big steps closer.

SASAWU

SASAWU's the new General Secretary, Mzomhle Gazi, told The Shopsteward that its 18 000 members work in the Civil Service and other parts of the public sector. They include magistrates, prosecutors, nurses, clerks and general assistants. It is a merger between:

All three held dissolution congresses in Pretoria and then came together to sign a formal merger agreement. They also passed resolutions mandating the office-bearers to apply for affiliation to COSATU and Public Services International and to participate in all COSATU's campaigns, especially on jobs.

The former unions have already established a close working relationship with COSATU-affiliate, POPCRU, in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council.

The new office-bearers were also mandated to begin talks with other independent unions in the public sector and to launch a massive recruitment drive among unorganised workers. The conference also resolved to adopt a gender equality strategy, to contribute to the fight against HIV/Aids and embark upon an intensive training campaign for all shopstewards and officials.

The new union's policies will be drafted democratically, in a series of provincial congresses, leading to a national policy congress. A new Executive Committee was elected and the new office-bearers are:

  1. President: Mthobeli Gaca
  2. 1st Deputy President: Josiah Motsetse
  3. 2nd Deputy President: George Madala
  4. General Secretary: Mzomhle Gazi
  5. Deputy General Secretary: Tuli Tonjeni
  6. National Treasurer: Sehunaro Matsobane
  7. National Organiser: Phumzile Soxunjwa
  8. Deputy National Organiser: Agnes Segoenyane
CAWU/NUM

CAWU, representing 36 000 workers in the construction, civil engineering and related industries, has agreed to amalgamate with the 252 000-strong NUM, to create the biggest union in the federation, with 288 000 members in the mining, energy and construction sectors. At its 6th National Congress, 140 delegates voted to endorse a recommendation from COSATU to go ahead with the amalgamation.

Unfortunately CAWU has been through a difficult period. As its Secretariat Report to the Congress states: "Lack of commitment and discipline amongst the organisation's personnel has had a devastating effect on our membership. The failure of the operational arm of the organisation to take firm action against the above trend is unacceptable.

" On behalf of COSATU, General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, told delegates that construction workers "deserve and need a powerful union". He reminded them of the 1997 Congress decision to move away from small but many unions into super unions and that internationally the trend is to unite unions.

"It is in the best interests of workers to be united in strong unions, so better to fight their battles," he said. He turned to the problems in CAWU, which centred around the lack of unity. "There have been endless wars between regional secretaries and national office bearers, even between branches, lining up to support one side or another.

"Comrades must try to find some form of sanity and recognise that they must do something positive for construction workers." He reminded delegates that the industry was one of the most backward sectors in industrial relations and that CAWU has not been able to act as a bulwark against abuse by employers.

"The union's financial situation is going down and down. Offices with no telephones or fax lines make it impossible for the union to function. Officials are going without pay. You are in a crisis. Open your eyes!"

He gave the delegates two possible ways this Congress might appear in the history books: "One is that Congress rose to the occasion. Two is that this Congress squandered the opportunity and the delegates went back more divided.

"It is in the best interest of the workers that the two unions be integrated. Workers will not join our unions because of our left-wing rhetoric or red shirts - what is going to matter is whether the union is relevant to me in fighting the boss." He appealed to the delegates to put the construction workers before their own short-term interests. "There is no better way of protecting construction workers than amalgamating with the NUM.

" The delegates agreed and voted for the amalgamation. A task team of office-bearers from CAWU, MUM and COSATU will continue to meet to deal with the union's assets, liabilities and staff.