COSATU press statement on the CEC decisions
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: May 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109730 , vital:33184
- Description: The COSATU Central Executive Committee met in its first session of the year over two days (5-6May 1998). The CEC received reports on a variety of issues and tool a number of policy decisions and approaches by on these matters. The CEC was characterised by anger and frustration on the scale of job losses in many industries and the failure of the current macro economic strategies to turn this tide around. Below are some of the issues discussed. The CEC endorsed the proposals submitted by Labour in NEDLAC on job 4^ creation in preparation for the Presidential Job Summit. The proposals will be further discussed in the coming Central Committee of COSATU scheduled for the 23-35 June 1998. COSATU shall use the Central Committee to further expand on the broad framework submitted in NEDLAC and get more proposals in line with how labour has categorised issues for the agenda of the Job Summit, i.e. (i) Measures to create jobs (ii) Measures to stop current job losses (iii) Measures to support the unemployed, (iv) Measures to assist the informal sector to be formal (v) Identification of long term issues to be negotiated beyond the Job Summit. COSATU is extremely concerned by the failure of both government and business to submit their proposals at NEDLAC. It is worth to note that various deadlines for them to submit proposals have passed. A million-dollar question is : Why does the government and business seem reluctant to submit their proposals? Clearly both government and business have abundance of capacity to deal with the proposals in a relatively short space of time. This is a major concern for COSATU. Whilst the delays continue, job losses are continuing unabated and the time bomb continue to click.
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- Date Issued: May 1998
Employment equity - An 1 Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171887 , vital:42135
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
Employment Equity - An Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137128 , vital:37490
- 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 t he legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1998
Insurance Second Amendment Act and the Demutualisation Levy Bill
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Aug 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109835 , vital:33194
- Description: COSATU has for many years been campaigning for the democratisation of the Mutuals in order to see to it that their considerable resources could be used more effectively in promoting economic development. In our 1996 Social Equity and Job Creation document COSATU, together with the other major trade union federations, argued that: "Mutual insurance companies such as Old Mutual and Sanlam are nominally controlled by policy-holders, but in practice are controlled by their managers. These companies control and manage large sums of provident fund contributions from workers yet grant no real ownership rights to workers". On this basis we proposed that: "Organised labour and other representatives of policy holders, be given immediate representation on the governing structures of the mutual companies, and that these companies be requested to commence negotiation through Nedlac on this proposal. Thereafter, appropriate legislative changes should be introduced through parliament."
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- Date Issued: Aug 1998
Press alert on the COSATU recruitment drive campaign
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Mar 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112684 , vital:33638
- Description: Members of the Press are invited to a high profile public launch of the COSATU Autumn Offensive Recruitment campaign that will be held on Monday 23 March 1998 at CNR Old Verneeniging and Jacobs Street, Alrode in Alberton - Gauteng at 12noon. In attendance will be members of the COSATU Executive Committee led by President John Gomomo, the ANC and SACP leadership. An invitation has been extended to comrades Thabo Mbeki and Charles Nqakula to speak at the launch.
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- Date Issued: Mar 1998
Statement on employment Equity Bill and the Apartheid Wage gap
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Aug 1998
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109791 , vital:33189
- Description: The Portfolio Committee on Labour considered amendments to the Employment Equity Bill which were tabled in parliament by the Department of Labour today. Amongst these were amendments in response to COSATU's proposals for closing the apartheid wage gap. COSATU has serious reservations, however, about the tabled amendments on this issue, and believes that the amendments proposed today by the ANC should be supported as they address these defects. Finalisation of the clauses relating to the wage gap has been postponed to next week, when the Bill will be voted on by the Committee. COSATU has consistently maintained the view, both in our submissions to the committee last month, and at NEDLAC, that the Employment Equity Bill must address the issue of the apartheid wage gap, if it is to have meaning for the millions of ordinary workers, who are the worst victims of apartheid discrimination, and who will not be able to reach the upper echelons of the workforce, despite the affirmative action provisions of the legislation. We have supported the philosophy of the legislation that employment equity must benefit everybody, and not just an elite few. We have taken the view that the legislation must address the critical legacy of massive income inequalities, which was a deliberate policy under apartheid, in order to make this philosophical approach a reality, and that in this respect the Draft Bill was seriously defective. We proposed a series of concrete amendments to remedy this defect, within the broad philosophical approach and architecture of the Bill. We also proposed an integrated strategy to address these differentials, which combines measures in the Employment Equity legislation with other legislation and processes. A number of organisations have supported us in this view. Further a concept document tabled by the Department of Labour in the parliamentary committee broadly endorsed this approach.
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- Date Issued: Aug 1998
Employment Equity: An Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176014 , vital:42652
- 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
Women in the Labour Movement - Confronting the new millenium
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: June 1999
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115406 , vital:34125
- Description: The year 1999 is the year of assessing performance and delivery. In the political arena we are reflecting on the accomplishments and shortcomings of our young democracy as we prepare our nation for South Africa's second democratic elections on the 2nd of June 1999. At this time, it is important that we also evaluate the progress we as a united labour movement made subsequent to April 1994, since the involvement of COSATU in our struggle for democracy was and still remains crucial. For women the 2nd of June 1999 presents itself as a challenge, especially women within COSATU. The challenge lies in the need to ensure that women are more represented in all structures of the federation, affiliates, down to local structures. Women make up the majority of citizens in South Africa and have been and remain under represented within the trade union movement. This has been the case since the launch of COSATU in 1985.
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- Date Issued: June 1999
Advancing Social Transformation in the Era of Globalisation
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: July 2000
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137600 , vital:37541
- Description: The COSATU Central Executive Committee Lekgotla endorsed this document in May 2000. It aims to initiate a discussion in COSATU and the democratic movement as a whole on the state of the transformation and our progress in taking forward the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). This process should inform the development of resolutions for COSATU's Seventh National Congress. The years since the transition to democracy in 1994 have seen fundamental shifts in the political economy of South Africa. These shifts present new challenges for COSATU and the democratic movement as a whole. To address them requires reflection on the basic trends in society and our strategies for pursuing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). This document first reviews progress and setbacks in achieving these goals since the transition to democracy in 1994. In that context, it explores current attempts to rewrite the aims of the NDR. Above all, some groups want to redefine the NDR merely to provide equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race. This tendency would stop the NDR before it achieves more fundamental reconstruction and development toward a non-racial, nonsexist society on the basis of democ- ratisation of the state and the economy. After considering these issues, the document explores changes in the balance of power, in terms of the political arena, the nature of capital, international developments, the state and the Alliance. Finally, it points to some implications for the development of transformatory programmes by COSATU and the Alliance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: July 2000
Namibian workers organise
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139645 , vital:37762
- Description: In 1987, long before Namibian independence was even on the agenda, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) decided to produce a joint book on the Namibian trade union movement. At that stage the Namibian trade unions had just begun to assert themselves. The idea of the book was to provide information useful for both Namibian and South African workers on the history of the working class struggle in Namibia. It was hoped that this would help to build a powerful working class solidarity between South African and Namibian workers. The International Labour Research and Information Group (ILRIG) - a research and educational service organisation specialising in working class struggles internationally — was commissioned by COSATU and NUNW to research, write and produce the book. Work on the book started in 1988. Between then and May 1989, two ILRIG workers visited Namibia a number of times - once with comrades from COSATU - and gathered a vast amount of information on the struggle in Namibia. Information came from workers, from trade unionists, from SWAPO, from documents and from observation. At all times in the process of writing the book, material was referred back to COSATU and NUNW for discussion and approval. The final chapter on solidarity was done at the end of August 1989, when a delegation of COSATU leaders visited Namibia to discuss setting up a permanent Working Committee with the NUNW. The book is coming at a time when Namibia is about to achieve her independence from South African colonial occupation under UN Resolution 435. The Namibian workers’ struggle for a living wage, for the right to strike, for decent houses, for jobs for all and against privatisation will not end with independence. The need for strengthening and extending trade union organisation in Namibia will not end with independence. The necessity for building solidarity between the Namibian and South African working class will not end with independence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Recruiters Guidelines
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109753 , vital:33186
- Description: The purpose of this booklet is to touch in number of areas, which are important at this point for the recruitment campaign of the federation. It is not meant even by implication to provide details of how to handle the campaign what it does is to highlight issues and areas that we must think in the preparation for this campaign. More importantly is the fact that COSATU remains the biggest federation in South Africa and fastest growing international. Beside a loss of membership from + 2 million to + 1.8 million members. The decrease in membership is mostly because of retrenchments. The well known fact is that only about 40% of the workforce that is unionized. The aim of the recruitment drive is to access this 60% that is not unionized. The mistake must not be committed to think that the 40%, which is unionized, belong to COSATU. There are two other federations plus number of non-affiliated unions. Our commitment to One Country One Federation does not stop us to recruit from other unions as long as we remain under different bodies. This October campaign coincides with Red October campaign of the SACP and Health and Safety month of the federation this must be seen as strength than lack of co-ordination. One area that is link to recruitment is the servicing of membership. It is useless to recruit and fail to service membership because every campaign that we will take around recruitment we may find ourselves had to fight with disgruntled members and obviously it will be difficult to attract new members. This must say to us that members come first.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Recruiters Guidelines
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137210 , vital:37498
- Description: The purpose of this booklet is to touch in number of areas, which are important at this point for the recruitment campaign of the federation. It is not meant even by implication to provide details of how to handle the campaign what it does is to highlight issues and areas that we must think in the preparation for this campaign. More importantly is the fact that COSATU remains the biggest federation in South Africa and fastest growing international. Beside a loss of membership from + 2 million to + 1.8 million members. The decrease in membership is mostly because of retrenchments. The well known fact is that only about 40% of the workforce that is unionized. The aim of the recruitment drive is to access this 60% that is not unionized. The mistake must not be committed to think that the 40%, which is unionized, belong to COSATU. There are two other federations plus number of non-affiliated unions. Our commitment to One Country One Federation does not stop us to recruit from other unions as long as we remain under different bodies. This October campaign coincides with Red October campaign of the SACP and Health and Safety month of the federation this must be seen as strength than lack of co-ordination. One area that is link to recruitment is the servicing of membership. It is useless to recruit and fail to service membership because every campaign that we will take around recruitment we may find ourselves had to fight with disgruntled members and obviously it will be difficult to attract new members. This must say to us that members come first.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The weekly newsletter for COSATU - Affiliates and Regions
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109802 , vital:33191
- Description: The largest nursing organisation in the country, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), has taken a historic decision to join COSATU at its recent congress held last week in Pretoria. The 200 delegates at the congress voted in favour of the move. The congress was held between under theme: ’’Nursing facing challenges. Development and HIV/Aids." COSATU campaigns secretary, Mcedisi Nontseie, said the union’s affiliation is a step forward in the consolidation of public sector unions within the federation. "This also consolidates white collar workers within the federation and further demystifies the long held reactionary notion that COSATU only represents workers in the lower ranks,” said Nontseie. South African Football Players Organisation (SAPPU) and Performing Arts Workers Equity (PAWE) joined the federation last year. DONOSA’s affiliation is set to boost the federation’s membership from its present of 1.8 million.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Transforming ourselves to transform society, Report of the Organisational Review Commission to the Central Committee
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Nov 2001
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/118674 , vital:34657
- Description: This report focuses on COSATU’s organisation in the 21st century in terms of organising and service strategies; organisational structures; and leadership, management and staff development. In each section, the proposals point to key directions for organisational renewal. The report will be discussed at the Central Committee meeting on November 19 to 22, 2001. It should be subjected to detailed debate and mandating in the run up to the Central Committee. The Seventh National Congress established the need for this organisational review. It noted the “need for a thorough organisational review,” in order to avoid a piecemeal and ad hoc approach. It therefore resolved, “A commission be established: to review structures of the Federation at all levels, including the substructures of the CEC, to propose policy changes and where appropriate propose constitutional amendments. The commission must report to the Central Committee in 2001, which will refer any proposed constitutional amendments to the next Congress.” In February 2001, the CEC established the Organisational Review Commission. At the time, it noted worrying trends in some unions’ ability to maintain services to members, and therefore decided to extend the review to include all aspects of organisational development. In April, the CEC approved terms of reference. The members of the Commission are listed in Appendix 1. They include NOBs of COSATU and affiliates, regional office bearers, some COSATU heads of department, representatives of NALEDI and DITSELA, and an (expert on organisational review. In preparing this report, the Commission held several workshops, and the extended September CEC discussed the draft in depth. Still, the Commission’s work was constrained by the lack of time and resources. Members have many other responsibilities, including mobilising for the strike against privatisation in August. The Commission itself did not have a dedicated budget.
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- Date Issued: Nov 2001
A workers handbook on HIV and AIDS
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/135270 , vital:37253
- Description: AIDS is a trade union issue and must be discussed and placed on the agendas of all union meetings. We have committed ourselves to campaign for HIV prevention, care and treatment with the same determination and energy with which we fight many other working class struggles. COSATU has also committed to work in partnership with other trade unions, government, business and organs of civil society in the fight against the disease.”
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Budgeting people's needs
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Feb 2003
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134973 , vital:37223
- Description: We hear a lot about the budget as an important expression of government policy. But what is the budget, what does it tell us about government programmes, and how can we influence it? This booklet aims: To support broader understanding and debate on budgets and fiscal policy as the basis for improving the public’s ability to hold government accountable; To explain debates on and key concepts in fiscal policy, budget reform and government expenditure on major programmes; and In that context, to explain the proposals in the People’s Budget and how the People’s Budget Campaign works. The People’s Budget Campaign is supported by a coalition of COSATU, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO). The People’s Budget Campaign seeks to help people understand the budget better. Based on broad discussions and hearings, it works to develop proposals to improve government spending programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: Feb 2003
6th National Congress Resolutions
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2003-2004
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175677 , vital:42605
- Description: Accelerated transformation means eradicating poverty in one generation. The purpose of this document is to stimulate debate, discussion and critical comment on the development path in South Africa in order to achieve this goal. In so doing, we hope to impact on the thinking and actions of the democratic government. This input is intended for the 2003 / 2004 financial year. This enables the following: • Sustained dialogue with government: By producing this document a full year ahead of the 2003 / 2004 budget speech, we look forward to a constructive engagement with government • Encouraging engagement: This document opens up space for critical comment from all sections of society. This will enable us to refine proposals and to contest proposals with which we disagree. All are invited to critique, comment on and sharpen our proposals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003-2004