NUMSA Organising Strategy Conference: Ranburg-Johannesburg, 23rd-25th November 2011
- Authors: National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa
- Date: 2011-11-23
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/104384 , vital:32376
- Description: This document is titled Numsa Organising, Campaigns and Collective Bargaining Strategy. It is also referred to as OCCB Strategy or simply Organising Strategy. The first draft was circulated in 2010 following the National Organising Strategy Workshop. The second draft was presented to the Mid-year 2011 Central Committee. This is Third Draft. This draft takes into account recent developments and some of the lessons drawn from the visit to Canada by the GS, OCCB HOD, National Motor Sector Coordinator and National Engineering Sector Coordinator. We use the phrase “some of the lessons” because two reports concerning experiences from the North American visit are available.
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- Date Issued: 2011-11-23
Tribute to the late Violet Seboni, 1965-2009
- Authors: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union
- Date: 2009?
- Subjects: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union , Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110537 , vital:33297
- Description: Violet Seboni was born on 18 September 1965. It was to be a turbulent start to life for this young girl who never got to know her father, in a story that started in sadness. And shortly after her birth, it was her mother too that she lost in circumstances that no one should experience. She knew pain and later in life she stood up for those in pain. Young Violet was raised by her grandmother for the first few years of her life, and when her grandmother died, it was her granny’s friend - in a culture where ubuntu requires that we reach out to others - who took on the responsibility to rear the young girl and to become her comforter, her provider, her mother. Violet went to primary school and later to Madibane High School in Diepkloof, where she developed a love for netball and a passion for activism. After high school, she became pregnant and her beloved daughter Lesego was born. She looked for work, and like generations of young, working- class women before her, she turned to the clothing industry, to use her hands, her dexterity and her skill to earn a living to feed her young family. The role the industry plays, to give work, bread and life to those in need, is in itself a reason not to let the industry die simply due to the cold, harsh winds of global competition and indifference or inaction from those who have the power to intervene, to use trade measures and to use industrial policy tools to save jobs and absorb our people into decent work opportunities. The industry that young Violet chose is one whose factories in Joburg grew with the discovery of minerals and the rapid growth of an urban population that needed to be clothed. Violet’s predecessors in the industry were white women sewing machinists, mainly Afrikaners, often the wives and daughters of the Afrikaner mineworkers who as 'by-woners', were like their black brethren, driven off the land and into the cities hungry for labour. Trade unionism took root among the male mineworkers - Die Mynwerkers Unie was their vehicle - and among female garment workers - through the Garment Workers Union. , A new growth path for decent work in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather industry
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- Date Issued: 2009?
Trade unions in Africa
- Authors: African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN)
- Date: 2003-12
- Subjects: Labour unions -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111142 , vital:33390
- Description: In March 2001, a group of African trade union-based researchers met in Johannesburg, South Africa, to form the African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN). The network initially covered Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia but has since grown and now includes Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Angola. One of the network's objectives is to address policy issues that affect African workers and their trade unions by providing relevant research and education materials. The first research project undertaken by the network covered the labour movement in the countries of the founding members. The researchers looked at the legal, economic and political environment in which trade unions operate and identified some of the key challenges that unions face today. This booklet is based on the country case studies that were undertaken by Austin Muneku (Zambia), Anthony yaw Baah (Ghana), Godfrey Kanyenze and Blessing Chiripanhura (Zimbabwe), Salihu Lukman (Nigeria), Herbert Jauch and Barney Karuuombe (Namibia) as well as Ravi Naidoo, Claire Horton, Thobile Yanta, Samuel Denga, Lebo Modise and Wolfe Braude (South Africa). This booklet was compiled by Herbert Jauch and Kishi-Silas Shakumu with assistance from Anthony yaw Baah. We wish to thank the Ford Foundation, the Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV), the Finnish Trade Union Solidarity Centre (SASK), and the Belgian Fund for Development Co-operation (FOS) for their support (direct and indirect) of the network's activities, which made the publication of this booklet possible.
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- Date Issued: 2003-12
The advantages and disadvantages of long-term collective bargaining within the Metal & Engineering Industry and Mining Industry
- Authors: Labour Research Service (Cape Town, South Africa)
- Date: 2002-11
- Subjects: Collective bargaining , Labour unions
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111475 , vital:33465
- Description: In 1924 the Industrial Conciliation Act was passed setting up a system of centralised collective bargaining for white workers. Black employees were excluded from this legislation. The Act allowed for the establishment of industrial councils that set wages and conditions of sendee for white workers. The 1970’s was marked by a rapid increase in the number of black workers especially in the manufacturing industries. This led to the rise in militant black trade unions fighting against low wages and poor working conditions of black employees. The state then passed the Black Labour Relations Act of 1973 through which liaison and works committees were set up at plant level. These committees were however, rejected by black trade unions as they did not ensure any improvements in the working conditions of black workers. As the militancy of black trade unions began to grow, a new Industrial Conciliation Act was legislated in 1979 that included all black workers (although migrant workers were initially excluded). The Act allowed for the registration of black unions and participation in centralised bargaining within the industrial councils. The new law still did not protect the rights of black workers and the trade unions instead adopted a strategy of strengthening plant level negotiations as opposed to centralised bargaining. In the late 1980’s as the trade unions strengthened their power base on the shopfloor, they once again changed their strategy and opted for industry wide collective bargaining. This move came about as trade unions realised the potential of industry wide industrial action to ensure improved wages and working conditions of black workers. This move also allowed for the bargaining of non-wage benefits such as maternity benefits, provident funds, health and safety issues, etc. Employers were now opposed to centralised bargaining and reintroduced plant level negotiations by closing several key industrial councils. The 1990’s was characterised by increased pressure from trade unions to legislate centralised bargaining. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) of 1995 was enacted to allow for the establishment of bargaining councils, which replaced industrial councils. However, the LRA only facilitates and promotes centralised bargaining but does not make it compulsory. With the push for increased centralised bargaining came the expansion of the bargaining agenda to include industry' and sector policies, workplace and sector restructuring. HIV/AIDS policies, employment equity, skills training, etc. Employers then began to argue for the introduction of multi-year agreements so that sufficient time could be given to incorporate not only'wage issues but also other socio-economic concerns raised by workers. With the onset of globalisation came the pressures towards increased international competition, restructuring of workplaces, retrenchments, casualisation, privatisation, etc. Collective bargaining is thus being conducted under difficult economic pressures as workers lose their jobs and inflation rates are escalating. Within this climate employers are set to push for the reintroduction of enterprise level bargaining especially in sectors where trade union militancy is strongest. International trends show an increase in - enterprise level bargaining where individual contracts are negotiated. In addition, where centralised bargaining is set to continue, employers will fight to introduce multi-year agreements to allow for more time to phase in non-wage socio-economic demands placed on the negotiating table by workers.
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- Date Issued: 2002-11
Fight for your lives against privatisation
- Authors: South African Municipal Workers Union
- Date: 2001-01
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105721 , vital:32561
- Description: Welcome, comrades to the New Year! In the last issue of Workers' News, I raised the point that all of us in elected positions were renewing our mandate. Now all of us, as members of SAMWU have a new mandate from Congress. We emerge out of Congress a united face which is geared to take workers struggle forward. Provinces came to Congress with different positions - through a process of open debates we managed to reach consensus on most of the discussions. This shows political maturity and cohesion. I want to look at the most critical challenges we have to face in the next three years. The credentials presented at Congress showed that we have not increased our lost membership in the past three years. We must start an organising campaign to meet the target we have set for ourselves. We need to have a programme of empowering women. We have concentrated much resources on a few leaders who are empowered already. For me that is not enough if we want to build a strong women's layer in the union , here put any information that you think is important but there is no field for it, if there isnt remove the field
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- Date Issued: 2001-01
Employment Equity: an introductory workshop for trade unionists organised by the COSATU Education Department
- Authors: Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
- Date: 1999-09
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106134 , vital:32610
- Description: This workshop is designed to give you a reliable introduction the Employment Equity Act. It is based on hard information and on ACTIVITIES or discussion exercises that will help you to understand how the Act works, who it covers, and what the implications are for trade unionists. Each of the Activities is complemented with information that will help you to understand the Act in more detail. Sections have been added to help you find further information, and to understand the terms that are used in the Act itself in a two day programme, you are not going to be an 'expert' on the Employment Equity Act, but we hope that you will feel more confident about using the Act, especially in ensuring that it is used to address a wide range of discriminatory practices at the workplace. As with most legislation, the more that you begin to use it, the more its strengths and weaknesses will emerge. It is very important that any weaknesses in the practical application of the Act are reported through your Union to the Federation. This will help the Federation to campaign for improvements in the legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities. All Labour Legislation, including the new Employment Equity Act should serve as a 'base-line' or minimum standard. Employer and Union observance of the minimum standards as laid down in law should be our starting point. Through collective bargaining and improved Union organisation, we aim to improve upon the standards set by the law, and increase the protection of our members. This is a real challenge. It is especially important for us all to recognise that as we enter into a period where employers are demanding more 'flexibility', the introduction of a new law to correct the legacy of imbalances left by apartheid at the workplace deserves our special attention. We hope this workshop is the first in a series of educational events that will cover this vital new area. The main aim of this workshop is to help you to understand the basic workings of the law, and how best it can be implemented. We also hope this programme encourages you to find out more about Employment Equity issues, and contribute positively to the struggle for the eradication of inequality. This pack is designed for a series of two-day introductory workshops that are being sponsored by COSATU in each region. A workshop of COSATU Educators held in September 1999 helped to assemble the material, and to test its appropriateness. As a result there are a considerable number of educators who can advise, and facilitate this workshop and who can be contacted via COSATU Education Department. We would also be very interested to hear how the pack has been used, and in particular how it can be improved to meet the needs of trade unionists who want to tackle discrimination using the tool of the Employment Equity Act, as well as other organisational means. If you use this pack, feedback would be most welcome.
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- Date Issued: 1999-09
Research / Resource Unit Progress Report to the National Conference of 26-29 July 1999
- Authors: Food and Allied Workers' Union
- Date: 1999-07-26
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106021 , vital:32595
- Description: It was identified that Fawu lacked the research capacity to fully support its bargaining structures due to a number of factors. Fawu approached Labour Research Services to provide research back up on a contract basis, hence the research proposal. The Research/ Resource Unit was started re-operating again in 1997 since it was closed down in 1995. The Unit has been functioning with two researchers and one Senior Researcher from Labour Research Services. A lot of hiccups in terms of functioning (like finance, capacity and staffing) have hindered development and independence of this Unit.
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- Date Issued: 1999-07-26
Women’s Leadership in COSATU: Research Report, March 1999
- Authors: Orr, Liesl
- Date: 1999-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112470 , vital:33585
- Description: The aim of this paper is to provide updated figures on women’s representation in leadership structures in COSATU. These figures enable the federation to review progress and to set targets for women’s leadership, as resolved in the 1997 COSATU Congress. The paper provides the most recent statistics (for 1998) on women’s leadership in COSATU at regional and national level. The intention of this report was to focus on collecting the actual figures and is therefore confined to a more quantitative (statistical) reflection on women’s leadership. It will be valuable to embark on further research that examines the qualitative aspects, in other words, women’s experiences of leadership.
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- Date Issued: 1999-03
Gender activity report to the NEC of the 12th-14th November 1998
- Authors: National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa
- Date: 1998-11-12
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106370 , vital:32645
- Description: As per our Congress Resolution on Women Empowerment, the main objective for this year (1998) was to implement some of these resolutions. It is obvious that not all the resolutions could be realized this year, however, this department managed to execute the following as per our year plan: mechanisms to empower women in the union, develop education and training programmes on women’s needs, encourage male comrades to take part in gender activities/programmes to raise understanding of gender issues. The above issues were going to be actualized in the following way: national gender schools and gender workshops.
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- Date Issued: 1998-11-12
Challenges facing women workers locally and internationally
- Authors: Mbude, Lungi
- Date: 1997-12-05
- Subjects: Women employees -- South Africa , Woman, Black -- Employment -- South Africa , Quality of life , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Organisational behaviour -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111118 , vital:33382
- Description: The majority of women in the world - women workers - have not only suffered from exploitation by the bosses, they also face oppression as women in society and from their husbands and partners at home. According to the 1996 Human Development Report, of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty in the world, 70% are women. Twice as many women as men cannot read or write, and girls are 60% of the 130 million children who have no access to primary education. Women produce half of the world’s food but own around 1% of the world’s land. The number of rural women living in poverty has increased by 50% in the last twenty years, compared to 3% for men. Women also represent the highest percentage of the unemployed. The problems of women workers are not personal, individual problems. They are social problems which women suffer as members of this society, as workers and as women. So, if we want to address and work towards solving women workers’ problems, we have to tackle them as part of the problems of the whole society.
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- Date Issued: 1997-12-05
The war against privatisation
- Authors: South African Municipal Workers Union_Workers News
- Date: 1997-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105759 , vital:32566
- Description: Welcome to SAMWU’s first magazine. This is the magazine for all comrades so do not take it home and hide it under your pillow - carry it around and share it with other comrades and your family and community. There are many challenges facing SAMWU members and officials at the present time. Our jobs are at risk from privatisation. Our communities are at risk because big business wants to take away the little services we have now. It is our job to politicise communities to take our antiprivatisation campaign forward. Comrades, we must guard against corruption. Multinational companies are prepared to pay a lot of money to get what they want. We are also having a problem with our comrades in SANCO who are bidding for a 30 year contract for Nelspruit’s water and waste services.We don’t want to end up like Britain where people are buying water in bottles from shops because the water from the taps is undrinkable. We don’t want to be forced to buy bottled water that is more expensive than beer , here put any information that you think is important but there is no field for it, if there isnt remove the field
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- Date Issued: 1997-06
A programme for the Alliance
- Authors: Congress of South African Trade Unions
- Date: 1996-11
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105785 , vital:32568
- Description: BACKGROUND TO THE ALLIANCE From Cosatu’s inception in 1985, the federation developed a close association with the Congress movement. Conditions in the country dictated the need to go beyond bread and butter issues to embrace national and class struggle. This perspective was formally endorsed with Cosatu’s adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1987. The 1987 Congress agreed Cosatu should build alliances with mass-based organisations with a track record of struggle and whose principles did not conflict with those of Cosatu. After the unbanning of the liberation movement, Cosatu’s 1991 Congress resolved that the Federation should join the ANC and SACP in alliance in place of Sactu, thus becoming part of the Tripartite Alliance as we know it today. It was understood that this Alliance , here put any information that you think is important but there is no field for it, if there isnt remove the field
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- Date Issued: 1996-11
Consultative Conference on Education and Training, Cape Town 19-21 June 1996: workbook and discussion documents
- Authors: Food and Allied Workers' Union
- Date: 1996-06-19
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105917 , vital:32583
- Description: Ladies and Gentleman, the Honorable Minister and fellow working comrades, I take this opportunity of welcoming all of you to this Consultative Conference on Education, Training and Development. Many of you have travelled from far, having left many responsibilities behind to attend to this issue of ETD for workers and industry. I wish to immediately thank you for this sacrifice made, the dividends of which I believe will be reaped for a very long time yet. But what does ETD mean for workers and industry? Let me venture an opinion. I think at my age I am occasionally allowed the liberty to issue opinion. We think for workers and we speak as workers, ETD means an opportunity to break free from the shackles "of low skilled -low paid -low satisfaction jobs - jobs which provide neither security, preferment nor progression- jobs that neither builds the economy nor their families and communities. As a worker I know of these frustrations - as a trade unionist I have committed myself to overcoming these deprivations. For industry, ETD, I think has come to mean as much for employers as for workers - in numerous discussions FAWU has had with employers we have come to understand the close linkages employers are drawing between Education, training and development (ETD) and increased productivity. We all know that increased productivity means improved performance and improved performance strengthens a company's ability to survive and grow. And a company that stabilises or grows can only add value to the economy and all its peoples' lives. Thus the presence of employers here tonight seems to affirm this common belief in ETD.
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- Date Issued: 1996-06-19
Labour memorandum on the Labour Relations Act Bill
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1995-06-06
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106557 , vital:32673
- Description: Workers have struggled for many years for a new Labour Relations Act. We have suffered under the apartheid L.R.A, Bosses were able to dismiss us, pay starvation wages, call the police to beat us up when we struggled for our rights, and make super profits from our labour. With democracy, we expect an end to this slavery and exploitation. We called for a new L.R.A., for a workers L.R.A. Over the past month, we have negotiated with a view of reaching consensus on our key demands. Instead, we have found from the business community, a series of delaying tactics. They have tried to limit the gains we could make for workers. They have tried to protect their management power. They have resisted the development of proper trade union rights. We tender this memorandum to advise that our members are angry. We want rights now! We call on business to endorse basic workers and trade union rights.
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- Date Issued: 1995-06-06
Centralised bargaining meeting held on the 14 September 1992 at SACCAWU head office
- Authors: South African Commercial, Catering, and Allied Workers Union
- Date: 1992-09-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105843 , vital:32575
- Description: Had a meeting with employers last month. Over 400 national companies were invited. Attendance was poor. Follow up meeting on 24th. Response was that they are not coming. CWIU went into a workshop. Could not agree on anything. Attendance was not good. Various problems were raised. NEC declare a dispute but first have to assess our strength on the ground. The union has different sectors; Petro Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber, Glass, Consumer Chemicals. Follow up meeting on 24th. Demands-1. Centralised bargaining 2. Retrenchments// Complex industry in terms of sectorisation. How to define industries. Just been admitted to metal industrial council. We have to look at other unions in pur industry and the position with other COSATU affiliates.
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- Date Issued: 1992-09-14
Cosatu regional congress - Defend, consolidate and advance social transformation
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1991-07
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/106403 , vital:32648
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- Date Issued: 1991-07
Constitution of the National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers
- Authors: National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers
- Date: 1990-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105879 , vital:32579
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- Date Issued: 1990-06
Cosatu Living Wage Conference towards a socio-economic programme
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1990-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105167 , vital:32471
- Description: There is now wide agreement that Cosatu should formulate a socio-economic programme to co-ordinate its present campaigns and collective bargaining and to influence the structure of the future economy. Our success in a Living Wage Campaign depends on the restructuring of the economy so that it can meet the needs and aspirations of the majority of our people.
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- Date Issued: 1990-06
Heroines of the struggle, Vol 1: women must claim their rights
- Authors: COSATU , Matlala, William
- Date: 1990-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105203 , vital:32477
- Description: The booklet serves as a commemoration to the heroines and veterans of the struggle. The brave women of the struggle, women who hold knife from its sharpest edge. Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. The booklet is the product of COSATU Archives in partnership with Rosa Luxemburg. , The information is compiled by NANDIPAMITI (COSATU Archivist) pictures by William Matlala and COSATU Photo Archive
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- Date Issued: 1990-06
Organiser update: Food & Allied Workers Union Information & Research Department: number 3, vol. 1
- Authors: Food and Allied Workers Union
- Date: 1990-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112426 , vital:33579
- Description: Industrial and mining group Barlow Rand was again selected the SA's top company in the annual Financial Mail Top 100 companies survey. Barlows received top position in rating in the rankings of total assets, sales, profit and market capital at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Barlows Received net profit of Rl,06 billion in the year to September 1989 from the sales of R26,4 billion. Ranked by sales CG Smith received the second position, SAB came third and CG Smith Food on the fourth position. Following is the ranking of the too ten companies on the JSE, ranked by sales, net profit and assets.
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- Date Issued: 1990-06