Cawu was formed in January 1987 as a Cosatu Project to bring together workers from different unions to form one union for the construction industry. In March 1988, at its first National Congress in Bloemfontein, Cawu became a fully-fledged union and resolved to affiliate to Cosatu.
Mergers
Cawu members came from Gawu, Saawu, Mawu and TGWU.
Sectors
The construction industry in South Africa is divided into three main sectors: Building Material Manufacturing, Civil Engineering and the Building Sector.
Campaigns
Cawu has been instrumental in setting up a national negotiations forum in the civil engineering industry, where the conditions of employment of 65,000 workers are negotiated nationally. Wage rates are set at a regional level.
Cawu also plays a crucial role in regional industrial councils for building sector workers and progress is being made in establishing collective bargaining in the building products manufacturing sector.
The union will soon take up the following campaigns:
Membership
At its formation, Cawu's estimated paid-up membership was 21,000. Today it stands at 33,000, making Cawu the largest construction union in the country.
However, Cawu has found it difficult to increase paid-up membership due to the nature of the industry, where more than 50 per cent of the estimated 350,000 construction workers are either casual, temporary or fixed-term contract workers.
Leadership
The present national leadership includes: Fred Gona (president), MT Oliphant (general secretary), S Dlamini (assistant general secretary).
Contact
10th Floor,
Philadelphia Corner,
89 Von Weilligh Street,
Johannesburg
P O Box 1962,
Johannesburg,
2000.
Tel: (011) 336-4321/2/3
Fax: (011) 337-1578
The wave of strikes in Durban in 1973 led to the formation of a number of new unions. In 1974, workers in the chemical industry formed the Chemical Workers Industrial Union (CWIU).
The union was very small and only began to grow and expand nationally after the formation of Fosatu in 1979 and the introduction of the new Labour Relations Act.
Recognition struggles and wage negotiations took place all over the country. One of the major struggles in the union was against state-owned, coal-to-oil company Sasol, which in 1984 dismissed 6,000 workers during the Transvaal stay-away.
Campaigns
In the late 1980's and early 1990's, CWIU was active in a number of high-profile campaigns:
the union waged bitter struggles to stop Matthey Rustenburg Refiners (MRR) from moving to Bophuthatswana, and to force multi-nationals to disinvest from South Africa on workers' terms;
CWIU protested against Mobil's decision to disinvest without prior negotiations with the union;
CWIU campaigned for a national workers' Provident Fund and was the first union inthe 1970's to push for an industry provident fund, brealomg ground for other unions.
The union has also taken an active part in major Cosatu campaigns, leading the way in struggles for May Day, Women's Day, women's rights, provident funds and, recently, for centralised bargaining.
Mergers
In the course of its expansion, the union merged with the Glass and Allied Workers Union (1982), Plastic and Allied Workers union (1986) and parts of the South African Allied Workers Union (Saawu) after Cosatu's formation.
Membership
The union's membership is 48,000, of whom 46,000 are paid-up.
Sectors
The union organises in five sectors - Petrochemical, Consumer Chemical, Rubber, Plastic products and Glass.
Leadership
Abraham Agulhas (president), Jerry Nkosi (vice president), Muzi Buthelezi (general secretary), Bheki Ntshalintshali (assistant general secretary).
Contact
3rd Floor McCarthy Centre,
34 Eloff Street,
Johannesburg
PO Box 3219,
Johannesburg,
2000
Tel: (011) 331-6861
Fax: (011) 331-5263
Fawu's roots date back to the formation of the Food and Canning Workers Union in 1941. A militant union, FCWU was active in the political campaigns of the 1940's and 1950's with a close relationship to the Communist Party, Sactu and the ANC. The union also had strong international links, especially with the Soviet Union.
FCWU consistently put forward the ideas and policies of the liberation movement, but never abandoned its central aim of improving wages, working conditions, living standards and the democratic rights of working people.
The union organised Western Cape and West Coast workers in the textile, wine and brandy, laundry and building sectors.
The repression of the 1960s took its toll on FCWU and many leaders were banned and exiled.
Mergers
Trade unions in the food sector, like in other sectors, began to reemerge in the 70s. Unity talks started as far back as 1981. Finally, in 1986 a single, giant food union - the Food and Allied Workers Union - was launched as a merger of Sfawu, Rawu and FCWU.
Sfawu, a Fosatu affiliate, emerged during the 1973 Durban strikes, with deep communit involvement. Rawu organised mainly in the Western Cape retail, food, dairy and hotel industries and had a strong political profile. FCWU had come to the fore again in the 70s, mobilising community support for a Fattis & Monis consumer boycott.
Campaigns
The campaign for centralised bargaining is top of the union's agenda. This campaign and others are guided by the following principles:
Fawu organises in: Milling, baking, biscuits & confectionery; Poultry, eggs, meat, dairy, sweets & chocolates; Cooldrinks, breweries, beverages & wines; Fruit & vegetables, snacks & nuts, cold storage, distribution & fresh markets, fishing, sugar, salt and tobacco.
Membership
At its launch in 1986, Fawu had 46,000 members. Today it is the fourth largest Cosatu affiliate with 139,000 members.
Leadership
Peter Malepe (president), Ernest Theron (first vice president), Desire Canhym (second vice president), Mandla Gxanyana (general secretary), Ernest Buthelezi (assistant general secretary), Anthony Latola (treasurer).
Contact
Vuyisile Mini Centre,
Cnr NY 1 and NY 110,
Guguletu
Tel: (021) 837-9040
Fax: (021) 638-3761/2
The IPS was founded in 1985, during the tricameral era. It was led by Dr Matseke and Mr Manthata. The IPS is thus 10 years old and has held nine Annual General Meetings in the various provinces around the country.
It is a non-profit and non-partisan organisation.
Sectors
The IPS serves almost all sectors of the public service including the education, health and roads & transport departments. It also services all ranks of employees within these departments.
Campaigns
Some of the campaigns of the IPS are:
Membership
The IPS organises in all nine regions. Membership in the different regions range from 72 in the Western Cape to 7 412 in Gauteng. The total membership of the IPS is 19 219.
Leadership
The national executive committee of the IPS includes: JAV Bhali (president), CE Radise (vice president), EM Tlatsi (general secretary), RR Motau (finance officer), MN Moloto (public relations), W Mngoma (labour relations), MP Simelane (resolutions officer), S Sekukuni (socio-economic portfolio), N Lekhowane (additional member).
Contacts
3rd Floor,
Van der Stel Place,
20 Melle Street,
Braamfontein
PO Box 30654,
Braamfontein,
2017
Tel: 011 403-1753/339-7012
Fax: 011 339-3406
As far back as the 1950's, the South African Congress of Trade Unions (Sactu) organised workers into the Hospital Workers Union. However, during the 1960's, repression forced most organisations, including Sactu, underground.
In 1979, the South African Allied Workers Union (Saawu) was formed, followed by the General and Allied Workers Union (Gawu) in 1980, and the Health and Allied Workers Union (Hawu) in 1983. It is through these unions that the organisation of public sector workers, including those in the health, education and civil service re-emerged.
Mergers
Cosatu's principle of 'One Union One Industry', laid the foundation for unity and merger talks between Saawu, Gawu and Hawu. These talks began in 1986 and led to the launch of Nehawu on 27 June 1987.
The launch congress incorporated workers from the public and private sectors. It adopted the Freedom Charter, the principles of worker control, non-racialism, united action in the struggle for political rights, and affiliation to Cosatu.
Campaigns
The early years were hard for Nehawu. Facing a hostile government employer and reactionary staff associations, the union fought for recognition and stop orders.
Repression against the union peaked in the late eighties. Its head office was bombed and its first general secretary, comrade Yuri Mjogolo, was murdered.
When recognition and stop orders were won during the 1980 national strike action, Nehawu started to focus on the living wage, anti-privatisation and access to health facilities campaigns.
In the 1990's, based on years of policy development, Nehawu also focused on restructuring the public sector and building organisation.
Membership
Membership mushroomed from 5,000 in 1987 to 120,000 in 1995.
Sectors
Nehawu organises in four sectors:
State - government employees at provincial and departmental levels, including parastatals (71% of membership);
Health - employees in all health providers in the private sector (16% of membership);
Education - employees in education institutions, except teaching staff (10% of membership); and
Welfare - employees in old age homes, children's homes, NGOs, etc (3% of membership).
Leadership
The following leadership was elected this year: Vusi Nhlapo (president), Lulamile Sotaka (first vice president), C Lehana (second vice president), Jeremiah Sithole (treasurer), N Thobejane (general secretary), Fikile Majola (assistant general secretary).
Contact
14th Floor Conlyn House,
156 President Street,
Johannesburg
PO Box 61530,
Johannesburg,
2000
Tel: (011) 337-8516/9
Fax: (011) 333-9018
The idea to form NUM emerged at a Council of Unions of South Africa (Cusa) meeting in July 1982. Cyril Ramaphosa, then Cusa legal officer, was mandated to form the union for miners. The union was to recruit only black workers initially, as the existing unions, organising white workers, were mainly right wing in their orientation, were looked down on by the majority black work force.
A committee of dedicated comrades including Ramaphosa, current NUM president James Motlatsi, and the late Elijah Barayi were charged with recruiting and organising, planning union programmes and organising the launching congress.
In just 12 weeks 14,000 members were recruited and on 5 December 1982, the NUM was born in Jouberton, Klerksdorp.
Campaigns
NUM fought side by side with many progressive organisations determined to bring down the apartheid regime. Besides fighting for bread and butter issues for its members, the NUM was also a political home due to the banning of the people's liberation organisations such as the ANC, SACP etc.
The NUM has been involved in campaigning for improved wages and working conditions. It took the lead in fighting against retrenchments in the mining industry. Its wage strike in 1987 lasted 21 days and shook the foundations of the Chamber of Mines.
Health and safety is a major issue for NUM, with hundreds killed on the mines every year. The union lobbied for a national inquiry into health and safety on the mines and, as a result, the Leon Commission was formed. The recommendations from that commission have now been accepted by government and will soon be law.
Membership
The NUM maintained its growth rate until the 1987 strike. It remains Cosatu's largest affiliate with 325,000 members. This year it launched a recruitment campaign called "Operation 400,000".
Sectors
The union organises in mining and energy.
Leadership
James Motlatsi (president), Senzeni Zokwana (deputy president), Kgalema Motlanthe (general secretary), Gwede Mantashe (assistant general secretary), Paul Nkuna (treasurer).
Contact
7 Rissik Street Cnr. Frederick,
Johannesburg,
PO Box 2424,
Johannesburg, 2000
Tel: (011) 833-7012/9
Fax: (011) 836-6051
E-mail: miner@wn.apc.org
Numsa was formed in 1987, bringing together unions with histories dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. Some had come from the TUCSA tradition of racially exclusive unions, while others were born out of the massive strikes by workers in the early 1970s.
Mergers
Numsa merged three big metal unions, Naawu, Mawu and Micwu and two smaller unions, Ummawosa and Macwusa. The merger had a lot to do with Cosatu's call for 'one union, one industry', as well as the belief that workers on the factory floor had to unite to put the most pressure on the bosses.
Campaigns
The principles of worker control, democracy and political independence have guided Numsa through its years of growth.
Its belief that only an organised and united working class can rid South Africa of oppression and economic exploitation has meant that it has taken a key role in Cosatu campaigns around the LRA, VAT and against the apartheid regime.
This could only be done by hard organising of members on the ground and delivery of basic needs to Numsa's members.
So the major campaign for Numsa for the last few years has been the living wage campaign. It started just as a demand for higher wages, but now is a package of demands to close the apartheid wage gap, reduce the number of grades to 5 and linking grades, wages and skills. We are also demanding that training (technical and ABE) must be given to workers. The agreement signed in the auto industry in 1995, goes a long way to addressing some of these demands, while in other industries there is progress on the training demands.
Membership
Despite massive retrenchments in the engineering sector, the union's membership has grown from 130,000 in 1987 to 220,000 today.
Sectors
Numsa is the majority union in the engineering, motor, tyre and auto assembly industry. Through centralised bargaining, it has improved the lives and working conditions of all its members. Its auto assembly and tyre members are among the highest-paid workers in the country. Numsa has always been a non-racial union and its factory floor achievements have attracted many white members to join the union.
Leadership
Mtutuzeli Tom (president), Phil Bokaba (first vice president), Vincent Mabuyakhulu (second vice president), Enoch Godongwana (general secretary), Peter Dantjie (national secretary).
Contact
9th floor,
York House,
46 Kerk Street,
Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 832-2030
Fax: (011) 833-6408/6330
Popcru was established on 5 November 1989 under the leadership of Gregory Rockman.
At the time of its launch, public sector workers were not covered by the Labour Relations Act. The government saw the union's formation as a serious criminal offence and those involved in the launch were suspended and dismissed from their jobs.
In March 1990, Popcru members in Johannesburg who handed in a memorandum regarding their grievances were all suspended. In response, Popcru embarked on national sit-ins. More policemen and women were dismissed and prison warders suspended. Some were demoted.
For the following three years, the union suffered as workers were afraid to join. However, since the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Police Labour Relations Act were passed in 1993, workers started to join the union in great numbers. Popcru affiliated to Cosatu this year.
Mergers
There is a feeling that Popcru and Sapu should merge, but there have been no talks yet.
Campaigns
Popcru has embarked on the following campaigns:
At its February 1994 special congress, Popcru had 10,000 members. By October 1995, this had increased to 46,000. The union still has problems with the SAPS membership department; who deduct Popcru members' stop orders for the management's union, Sapu.
Sectors
Popcru organises in three sectors: the South African Police Services, Correctional Services (Prisons) and Traffic Departments.
Leadership
Current national leadership elected at the June Congress: Mzingisi Moshara (president), Roy Govender (deputy president), Delihlazo Tyuthuza (vice president), Lando Sam (general secretary), Lefaso Matutoane (assistant general secretary), Allan Thomson (treasurer).
Contact
14th Floor Conlyn House,
156 President Street,
Johannesburg
PO Box 8657,
Johannesburg,
2000
Tel: (011) 337 5431/2 /1881
Fax: (011) 337 5429/1629
Potwa was formed on 1 August 1986 in Soweto in the context of racism in the post and telecommunications (P&T) industry, particularly in promotions, conditions of employment and salaries. This situation helped mobilise P&T workers, particularly African workers, to unite under the banner of Potwa and to fight the injustices of apartheid. At present the union has recognition agreements with both Telkom and Sapos.
Mergers
Potwa is in the process of finalising a merger with two unions, Saptea and Peasa, in the P&T industry. This merger should be concluded by March 1996.
Sectors
The union organises in the following sectors: postal, telecommunications, auto page and data energy, computing and broadcasting workers. The present minimum salary at Sapos is R1 450 and at Telkom it is R1 500.
Membership
Membership stands at about 27,000.
Campaigns
Key union campaigns are on affirmative action and the transformation of companies which may result in job losses. The anti-privatisation campaign is also very topical and the union remains strongly opposed to the privatisation of state assets.
Leadership
Lefty Monyokolo (president), Tlhalifang Sekano (first deputy president), Themba Majozi (second deputy president), Sikhumbuzo Tyibilika (general secretary), Sizwe Matshikiza (assistant secretary), Nakana Masoka (treasurer).
Contact
2nd Floor
Darragh House,
Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 333-4351/5
Fax: (011) 333-7276/29-9543
Ppwawu's roots lie in the re-establishment of trade unions in South Africa in the early 1970s with the formation of a number of workers' service organisations. Ppwawu was to originate from the Urban Training Project (UTP), formed by officials who had left the Trade Union Council of South Africa.
Pwawu, as it was then known, started in 1974, as a local union in Springs with an estimated membership of 500. In 1979, it joined Fosatu after lengthy unity talks.
Mergers
Merger talks between Pwawu and Nupawo started in 1985 and in 1987, after a long period of negotiations, Ppwawu was launched -born out of Pwawu, Nupawo and members from two general unions, Saawu and Gawu.
Campaigns
From the early 1980's Ppwawu has been pro-congress alliance. The union adopted the Freedom Charter as a minimum set of demands for the working class; allied itself with the UDF; called for the unbanning of the ANC and SACP, the release of political prisoners and campaigned for an ANC victory in the 1994 election.
Ppwawu also participated in Cosatu campaigns like the Living Wage and anti-LRA campaigns. .
In 1989, during a Ppwawu campaign on centralised bargaining at Nampak, the union discovered that employers were using bugging devices to spy on the union. The resulting anti-bugging demand assumed national proportions.
In the future, Ppwawu will campaign for centralised bargaining forums; democratisation of the shopfloor; involvement of members in implementing the RDP; closing of wage gaps; improvement of living standards of members and ensuring the attainment of economic freedom.
Membership
At Fosatu's launching congress in 1979 Pwawu had 800 members in Transvaal and Natal. By the early 80s membership had grown to 11 430. This had doubled by the second Cosatu Congress in 1988 and stood at 42 430 by 1991. Membership dropped over the following two years due to retrenchments, mass dismissals and resignations resulting from the violence in Natal. Today membership is 63,000.
Sectors
Ppwawu organises in the following four sectors: Printing, Pulp and Paper, Furniture and Woodworking.
Leadership
Pasco Dyani (president), Absolom Ditshoke (first vice president), Albert Tshabalala (second vice president), Bengeza Mthombeni (general secretary), Porche Nkosi (assistant general secretary).
Contact
44 Von Wielligh Street,
7th Floor Zambezi House,
Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 331-7721
Fax: (011) 331-3750
Saapawu was formed as a result of a Cosatu Congress resolution in 1991 to establish "one farm workers union". The resolution stated that all the unions organising farm workers should transfer these members to one union, together with experienced organisers.
The Farmworkers Co-ordinating Committee (FCC) was formed and the process was overseen by Cosatu's organising department.
In June 1993 a workshop drew up a comprehensive programme to launch the union. A consultative conference in August 1994 set a date and finally the union was launched in February 1995.
Mergers
The union was launched with the bulk of its members from Fawu (about 20,000), 6 600 forestry workers from Ppwawu, 2 500 from Sactwu, 2 500 from Fria and 4,000 from Nafawu.
Campaigns
The union is concentrating on the following campaigns:
The membership at the launching congress was 29 240 paid up and presently stands at about 35,000. The union aims to have 50,000 members by the end of 1995.
Sectors
Saapawu organises farming, plantation and forestry workers, including. farming in maize, livestock, poultry, vine, fruit, vegetables, fish, forestry, tea plantations and nursery sectors.
Leadership
Andile Mapekula (president), Seloma Maseko (first vice president), Joseph Benjamin (second vice president), Dickson Motha (general secretary), Sam Mashabathakga (treasurer).
Contact
5th floor,
1 Leyds Street,
Braamfontein
Tel: (011) 339-4911
Saccawu celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The union was founded in 1975 as Ccawusa (Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union) under the leadership of veteran unionist Emma Mashinini. Due to labour laws at the time, Ccawusa initially organised African workers only. However, it soon opened its doors to all workers, in line with the ideal of non-racialism.
Before Cosatu's launch, the union had relations with both Cusa and Fosatu. Its membership and leadership were instrumental in the formation of Cosatu in 1985.
Campaigns
Saccawu joined in the battle against the apartheid regime, and together with other progressive organisations, fought the 1986 state of emergency. Spontaneous protest strikes took place in all Saccawu's sectors.
On 18 December 1986, thousands of OK workers from 137 stores came out on a legal strike - the longest of that time - giving massive impetus to Cosatu's living wage campaign.
Saccawu was the first union to sign a maternity agreement with Metro Cash & Carry. The union has championed the struggle for parental rights, and the first agreement (for a maximum of 11 months leave) was signed with Pick 'n Pay, and other companies followed.
Saccawu continues to pursue the objective of centralised bargaining forums in each sector or industry.
Membership
Saccawu, Cosatu's fifth largest affiliate, has over 135,000 members.
Sectors
Saccawu is a service industry union organising in commercial (wholesale, distributive, retail), catering, hospitality and finance sectors.
Leadership
Saccawu's leadership is: Jan Khaile (acting president), Theo Xulu (acting first vice president), Bones Skulu (acting general secretary), Herbert Mkhize (acting assistant general secretary).
Contact
First Floor,
SA Centre Building,
1 Edith Cavell Street
PO Box 10730,
Johannesburg,
2000
Tel: (011) 337 1110/9
Fax: (011) 337 3827
Sactwu was launched in 1989, at the University of the Western Cape. The union was formed from a merger between the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers' Union of South Africa (Actwusa) and the Garment and Allied Workers' Union (Gawu).
Membership
Sactwu has a total membership of 176 649, with the majority of members in Natal and the Western Cape, the focus of the industry.
Sectors
The union organises workers employed in the following industries and trades: Garment manufacturing; textile production (including man-made fibres); wool/mohair processing & trade (including hides and skins), leather and footwear; knitting; tanning, woolpulling and fellmongering; canvas and ropeworking; laundry, dyeing and dry-cleaning; farming; retail, commercial and distributive trade of textile, clothing and leather.
The union also organises workers engaged in the sale, delivery, distribution, retailing, storage and/or administration of such goods.
Campaigns
Sactwu is involved in the following campaigns:
Amon Ntuli (president), Phillip Nyai (first vice president), Ralph Alexander (second vice president), Connie September (treasurer), Jabu Ngcobo (general secretary), Ebrahim Patel (assistant general secretary), Freddie Magugu (organising secretary).
Contact
James Bolton Hall,
127 Gale Street,
Durban
PO Box 18359,
Dalbridge,
4014,
Durban
Tel: (031) 301-1351
Fax: (031) 306-0788
The launch of Sadtu on 6 October 1990 was the culmination of a painstaking teacher unity process which began in Harare in 1988 with the signing of a a set of unity principles.
Since its inception, the union has been steadfast in its resolve to transform the education system. From the start, Sadtu was viewed as a champion of teacher rights and an ideal vehicle for transformation as voiced by grassroots teachers.
Mergers
Approximately 18 teacher unions and associations adopted the unity principles decided on in Harare, to give birth to Sadtu.
Campaigns
From its launch to 1994, Sadtu campaigned for:
Educational issues: The way forward for informal settlement and rural schools; proposals on school governance and a performance-related teacher appraisal system.
Labour Front: Sadtu adopted a Negotiations Strategy for the next three years with the following bargaining themes: improvement of conditions of service for educators, new salary grading, improved training and time off and secondment for union officials. This marks a major departure from the union's ritualistic annual wage bargaining, often characterised by conflict and confrontation.
Bonds with Cosatu and public sector unions: Sadtu committed itself to strengthening its interaction with Cosatu, especially at local and provincial levels. The union agreed to remain an observer in the public sector unity process, pending further debate amongst membership and broader developments on the public sector bargaining process and structures.
Sectors
Sadtu organises in the following sectors: primary and secondary schools, technikons, teacher training colleges and universities.
Membership
The early 1990s saw heightened levels of teacher consciousness which highlighted the plight of teachers. During this period thousands of teachers swelled the union's ranks to form its present membership of 120,000.
Leadership
Sadtu elected its first post-apartheid executive at its third national Congress in April 1994. Duncan Hindle (president), Willy Madisha (deputy president), Thulas Nxesi (general secretary), Mxolisi Nkosi (assistant general secretary).
Contact
9th Floor,
Liberty Brokers' Centre,
Cnr Eloff & Main Streets,
Johannesburg
PO Box 6401,
Johannesburg,
2000
Tel: (011) 331-9586/7/8
Fax: (011) 311-5910
The South African Domestic Workers Union (Sadwu) was born out of concern for the lack of social security for domestic workers, the lowest paid workers in the country.
In 1965 an ILO resolution called for laws to protect domestic workers' rights. But the call went unheeded by the Nationalist Government, which instead maintained the master-servant relationship, entrenching apartheid laws giving whites a superior status to black people.
In the early 1970s, progressive organisations started organising domestic workers throughout the country. Then, in 1985, new attempts to unite domestic workers were taken by the Domestic Workers Association (DWA).
Mergers
The first unity talks were held in Cape Town on 21 June 1985, between five organisations: DWA, Sadwa, Eldwa, Dwasa and NDWU. Sadwu was launched on the 29 November 1986, without Dwasa.
Campaigns
Domestic workers, the majority of whom are black women, work an average 16-hour day, with no overtime pay. Some earn as little as R35 a month, and many have families to support.
Until recently, they were excluded from all labour laws. They therefore had no protection or bargaining power and were open to gross exploitation. Domestic workers were denied the right to sick pay, maternity leave, unemployment cover, pension and many other benefits.
Since its establishment, Sadwu has been locked in a bitter struggle with the government to secure basic rights for their members.
The union campaigned for the inclusion of domestic workers in five Acts, the Wage Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the LRA, UIF and the Workmen's Compensation Acts. The union staged protests and marches to highlight their demands.
At the height of repression, the Sadwu offices in Cape Town were bombed in a weak attempt to intimidate the workers and the union to give up their campaign against the racist and oppressive labour laws.
While some things have changed - the BCEA was amended for domestic workers in January 1994 and the new Labour Relations Act was passed this year, Sadwu is determined to continue to fight for greater labour law protection for domestic workers.
Membership
Today Sadwu has branches countrywide. Despite the fact that this sector is very difficult to organise, membership has increased from 10,000 in 1987 to more than 25,000 paid-up members in 1995.
Sectors
Sadwu organises individual workers in private homes (full-time or casual), old age homes and private nursing homes; cleaners at apartment buildings, offices, shopping centres.
Leadership
Violet Senne (president), H Stephens (vice president), F de Villiers (general secretary), E Komako (assistant general secretary), M Witbooi (treasurer).
Contact
Community House,
41 Salt River Road,
Salt River
PO Box 43272,
Salt River,
7925
Tel: (021) 47 9621
Fax: (021) 47 7265
Samwu was formed in 1987 as a result of a merger of Cosatu affiliates working in the industry. Since then the union has continued to grow, through a combination of vigorous recruitment and ongoing mergers - the result of which will be a single public sector union.
Mergers
Samwu members were drawn from CTMWA, Gawu, Mwusa, Saawu and TGWU, all Cosatu affiliates. Since its launch, other regionally based unions have merged with Samwu, including the Eastern Cape Local Authorities Association (ECLA), Munisipale Werkers-vereniging (Worcester), DIMES (Natal), UJMW and JMCEU (both Johannesburg).
Over the past few years, Samwu, Nehawu and Potwa have been engaged in talks to give effect to Cosatu's principle of "one union, one industry". Potwa will no longer be part of the merger, and a date for the merger will be set soon.
Membership
The union was launched with a membership of about 14,500 workers and has grown to 110,030 in the last eight years.
Campaigns
Samwu is involved in the following campaigns:
Leadership
Petrus Mashishi (president), Sandile Mqaka (vice president), Joe Mapharing (treasurer), Roger Ronnie (general secretary), Jimmy Mohajane (assistant secretary).
Contact
Trade Union House,
8 Beverley Street,
Athlone
PO Box 49,
Athlone, 7760
Tel: 021 607 1147/54
Fax: 021 696 9175
Since its relaunch in Grahamstown nine years ago, Sarhwu has won many major victories. The first was the recognition of the union by the government, won after a hard fight which included a food boycott in the railway's compounds.
The food boycott aimed to stop management deducting food money from workers' salaries so they could cook food of their own choice. After they won this battle, the union went on a recruitment drive and thousands of Transnet workers signed up.
Management then began to informally recognise Sarhwu shopstewards and organisers and workers began to challenge unfair labour practices and to demand proper working conditions.
At the height of this campaign in 1987, Transnet management unfairly dismissed a union member, Andrew Nenzamba who was working at City Deep. This unilateral action started a national strike that lasted 90 days. Management called in the police and some union members were killed, others arrested and dismissed.
Two years later, workers went on strike over wages and recognition. Sme workers were killed by scab labourers and management dismissed others. However, soon after the 89/90 strike, Transnet recognised the union for the first time.
Campaigns
After recognition, the living wage campaign, for a minimum wage of R1,500, emerged, Sarhwu, with other unions, is currently spear-heading the anti-privatisation campaign.
Membership
Paid-up membership is 37,500.
Sectors
Sarhwu organises in all business units of Transnet, aviation and airports.
Leadership
Nelson Ndinisa (president), Derrick Smoko (general secretary), Tsidiso Moshao (assistant general secretary), Ezrom Mabyana (treasurer).
Contact
6th Floor Ebosy Building
196 Market Street,
Johannesburg
PO Box 8059,
Johannesburg 2000
Tel: (011) 336-5429/29-5435
Fax: (011) 336-1100
Sasbo was formed in 1916 when bank workers mobilised to combat employer exploitation.By mid-1917 the union had more than 1,000 members in 125 bank branches in 86 towns. In November 1917 the SA Banking Magazine - the union's monthly journal - was launched. Its name changed to Sasbo News, and it is the country's oldest trade union publication.
While banks attempted to crush Sasbo, the union's protest meetings achieved prominent press coverage. The SA Labour Party supported the union's struggle in parliament.
When the banks refused to recognise Sasbo, the young union forced the government to appoint an arbitrator. Continued employer inflexibility culminated in the famous 1920 strike - probably the world's first bank strike.
The strike, ended by a compromise proposed by prime minister Jan Smuts, gained Sasbo formal recognition and enabled the union to negotiate properly-graded jobs, salary scales and regular working hours.
From then on Sasbo attracted finance workers at every level - making it a powerful force.
Sasbo members have always had social conscience. Despite their relative privilege, they work alongside their blue collar colleagues to campaign for justice for all workers.
In 1964, when suppressing black workers was the fashion, Sasbo general secretary Dick Haldane told Tucsa: "I ask you to stand up for what is decent, humane and compassionate and to ensure that all citizens of this country receive the rights to which normal human beings are entitled."
In 1995, Sasbo affiliated to Cosatu.
Mergers
Recent years have seen mergers with the ABSA workers' union and the Financial Institutions Workers' Union (previously the Building Society Officials' Association).
Membership
Sasbo has 75,000 members in 23 finance institutions across the country.
Campaigns
Sasbo's policies and priorities are determined by democratically elected members functioning through 28 branch committees, a national council, a management committee, and through a rapidly growing network of shopstewards. Full-time officials serve in an advisory capacity.
"Sasbo members are career minded and profit oriented," says general secretary, Graeme Rowan. "First they generate profits, then they fight to have these profits fairly distributed."
Leadership
Kenny Albertus (president), Graeme Rowan (general secretary), Piet Hymans (assistant general secretary).
Contact
Sasbo House,
97-99 Simmonds Street
PO Box 31537,
Braamfontein, 2017
Tel: (011) 403-3115
Fax: (011) 339-8080
This year is the 20th anniversary of TGWU. Since the union's birth in 1975, it has grown from a small, general trade union to an established, organised, recognised and registered industrial giant. The focus in the 70's on shopfloor organisation with a view to building a well-structured union laid the foundation for TGWU's affiliation to Cosatu in 1985.
Mergers
With a paid-up membership of 11,000, TGWU merged with GWU in June 1986. It adopted the name TGWU while retaining the old GWU logo. Cosatu's resolution on unity between TGWU and Sarhwu still needs to be implemented. In the meantime, the unions will work together closely at branch level to keep unity alive, where it matters most - on the ground.
Sectors
TGWU covers the following sectors: municipal, goods transport, cleaning and security, docks, construction and allied, metal, and chemical.
Membership
Today TGWU has a membership of 60,000 countrywide.
Campaigns
TGWU is involved in the following campaigns:
Alfred Ndlovu (president), June Dube (vice president), Randall Howard (general secretary), KJ Matroos (assistant general secretary).
Contact
6th Floor,
Zambezi House,
44 Von Wielligh Street,
Johannesburg,
2000.
Tel: (011) 331-9321/8
Fax: (011) 331-5418