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Report on the COSATU national workshop on the code of conduct for investors in a post-apartheid South Africa
- COSATU
COSATU Constitution as amended at the 4th National Congress
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/135027 , vital:37228
- Description: We the Trade Union representatives here present firmly commit ourselves to a unified democratic South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation. We believe that this could only be achieved under the leadership of a united working class. Our history has taught us that to achieve this goal we will have to carry out the following tasks : Organise the unorganised and build effective trade unions based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplaces. Organise national industrial trade unions, financed and controlled by their worker members through democratically committees. Unify these industrial unions into a national worker controlled federation. Combat the divisions amongst the workers of South Africa and unite them into a strong and confident working class. Encourage democratic worker organisation and leadership in all spheres of our society together with other progressive sectors of the community. Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggle. We call on all those who identify with this commitment to join us and the workers whom we represent, as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all trade unions to strive to unite their members in their ranks without discrimination and prejudice, and therefore resolve that this federation shall determinedly seek to further and protect the interests of all workers and that its guiding motto shall be the universal slogan of working class solidarity: "An injury to one is an injury to all".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/135027 , vital:37228
- Description: We the Trade Union representatives here present firmly commit ourselves to a unified democratic South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation. We believe that this could only be achieved under the leadership of a united working class. Our history has taught us that to achieve this goal we will have to carry out the following tasks : Organise the unorganised and build effective trade unions based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplaces. Organise national industrial trade unions, financed and controlled by their worker members through democratically committees. Unify these industrial unions into a national worker controlled federation. Combat the divisions amongst the workers of South Africa and unite them into a strong and confident working class. Encourage democratic worker organisation and leadership in all spheres of our society together with other progressive sectors of the community. Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggle. We call on all those who identify with this commitment to join us and the workers whom we represent, as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all trade unions to strive to unite their members in their ranks without discrimination and prejudice, and therefore resolve that this federation shall determinedly seek to further and protect the interests of all workers and that its guiding motto shall be the universal slogan of working class solidarity: "An injury to one is an injury to all".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
Transforming ourselves to transform society, Report of the Organisational Review Commission to the Central Committee
- COSATU
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: Nov 2001
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: Nov 2001
COSATU Submission on the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Oct 1997
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109824 , vital:33193
- Description: Twenty Months ago, the Minister of Labour, Comrade Tito Mboweni, released a Green Paper on the Basic Conditions of Employment. From April 1996, government labour and business engaged in negotiations in NEDLAC, first over the Green Paper and later various drafts of the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill (the Bill). The primary aim of these negotiations was to agree on the purpose and content of the Bill. COSATU views this piece of legislation as very important as it replaces the current Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Wage Act and provides a floor of basic conditions of employment for all workers - organised and unorganised- including the most vulnerable, such as domestic and farmworkers. Business on the other hand want to preserve apartheid cheap labour practices in the workplace by protecting the current BCEA passed by the apartheid regime at the time when employers had a cosy relationship with government, and the majority of workers were disenfranchised. Employers, using globalisation and international competition as their cover, want to remove obstacles to further oppression and exploitation of workers. If employers have their way, South African workers, who, as the Green Paper points out, already work long hours by international standards, would work even longer hours, with very little or no protection. The challenge facing you as the elected representatives of the people is to send out a signal to workers, through this Bill, as to what you consider to be the minimum employment standards to which every worker should be entitled, concerning basic things like hours of work, periods of sick and maternity leave and rates of over-time pay. Parliament's choice is stark: to lead the process of eradicating apartheid's legacy from South African work places by improving and securing employment standards for ordinary working people or, to give in to those forces who want to turn back the clock and retain the patterns of apartheid cheap labour and worker insecurity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: Oct 1997
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: Oct 1997
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109824 , vital:33193
- Description: Twenty Months ago, the Minister of Labour, Comrade Tito Mboweni, released a Green Paper on the Basic Conditions of Employment. From April 1996, government labour and business engaged in negotiations in NEDLAC, first over the Green Paper and later various drafts of the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill (the Bill). The primary aim of these negotiations was to agree on the purpose and content of the Bill. COSATU views this piece of legislation as very important as it replaces the current Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Wage Act and provides a floor of basic conditions of employment for all workers - organised and unorganised- including the most vulnerable, such as domestic and farmworkers. Business on the other hand want to preserve apartheid cheap labour practices in the workplace by protecting the current BCEA passed by the apartheid regime at the time when employers had a cosy relationship with government, and the majority of workers were disenfranchised. Employers, using globalisation and international competition as their cover, want to remove obstacles to further oppression and exploitation of workers. If employers have their way, South African workers, who, as the Green Paper points out, already work long hours by international standards, would work even longer hours, with very little or no protection. The challenge facing you as the elected representatives of the people is to send out a signal to workers, through this Bill, as to what you consider to be the minimum employment standards to which every worker should be entitled, concerning basic things like hours of work, periods of sick and maternity leave and rates of over-time pay. Parliament's choice is stark: to lead the process of eradicating apartheid's legacy from South African work places by improving and securing employment standards for ordinary working people or, to give in to those forces who want to turn back the clock and retain the patterns of apartheid cheap labour and worker insecurity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: Oct 1997
Draft Gender Indicators
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172109 , vital:42160
- Description: Women in both the trade union movement and the formal work environment face obstacles which inhibit the progress of their concerns. Despite a range of gender resolutions passed at trade union congresses and the equality clauses inherent in the constitution and labour legislation, issues of particular concern to women are not mainstreamed in trade union negotiations. In instances where issues such as maternity benefits are fully integrated, women workers may still face difficult choices when it comes to ensuring that rights and labour laws are adhered to in the workplace. Many women workers often find that their position at work has been changed while they have been off on maternity leave, or they have been included in a retrenchment negotiation while away. An important question to ask in building a framework of gender indicators for collective bargaining, are what are the obstacles in trade unions which inhibit women’s active participation in collective bargaining?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172109 , vital:42160
- Description: Women in both the trade union movement and the formal work environment face obstacles which inhibit the progress of their concerns. Despite a range of gender resolutions passed at trade union congresses and the equality clauses inherent in the constitution and labour legislation, issues of particular concern to women are not mainstreamed in trade union negotiations. In instances where issues such as maternity benefits are fully integrated, women workers may still face difficult choices when it comes to ensuring that rights and labour laws are adhered to in the workplace. Many women workers often find that their position at work has been changed while they have been off on maternity leave, or they have been included in a retrenchment negotiation while away. An important question to ask in building a framework of gender indicators for collective bargaining, are what are the obstacles in trade unions which inhibit women’s active participation in collective bargaining?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A workers handbook on HIV and AIDS
- COSATU
- 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
- 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
Negotiations Bulletin - The story of our taxes
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: April 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137556 , vital:37537
- Description: IN SOUTH AFRICA two kinds of taxes are imposed by the tax authorities, namely direct and indirect taxes. Direct taxes are those that are levied directly on the income and wealth of companies and individuals. Examples of direct taxes are personal income taxes paid by salaried employees and taxation paid on company profits. Indirect taxes are those taxes levied not directly on income earned, but on certain transactions. Examples of indirect taxes are value added taxation, customs and excise duties and transfer duties. The power to levy taxation rests with the central government. It is thus government’s responsibility to ensure that a taxation structure and balance is achieved that would not only meet its budget requirements but also be fair and acceptable to its constituents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: April 1996
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: April 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137556 , vital:37537
- Description: IN SOUTH AFRICA two kinds of taxes are imposed by the tax authorities, namely direct and indirect taxes. Direct taxes are those that are levied directly on the income and wealth of companies and individuals. Examples of direct taxes are personal income taxes paid by salaried employees and taxation paid on company profits. Indirect taxes are those taxes levied not directly on income earned, but on certain transactions. Examples of indirect taxes are value added taxation, customs and excise duties and transfer duties. The power to levy taxation rests with the central government. It is thus government’s responsibility to ensure that a taxation structure and balance is achieved that would not only meet its budget requirements but also be fair and acceptable to its constituents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: April 1996
6th National Congress Resolutions
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116111 , vital:34298
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116111 , vital:34298
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
A programme for the alliance
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/155650 , vital:39902
- Description: 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/155650 , vital:39902
- Description: 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
Labour memorandum on the Labour Relations Act Bill
- COSATU
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995-06-06
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995-06-06
6th National Congress Resolutions
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/118547 , vital:34644
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/118547 , vital:34644
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
6th National Congress Resolutions
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/136472 , vital:37382
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/136472 , vital:37382
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
COSATU press statement on the CEC decisions
- COSATU
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: May 1998
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: May 1998
Recruiters Guidelines
- COSATU
- 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
- 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
Work in Progress issue no.52
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173573 , vital:42385
- Description: As this edition of Work In Progress was going to print the state effectively banned 17 organisations and an undisclosed number of individuals, and severely restricted the Congress of South African Trade Unions. By doing this the government of State President PW Botha has escalated its ongoing war against the people of South and Southern Africa. Precisely why the state chose to act this way at this time is not clear. Visible resistance to apartheid in the townships has declined under the burden of emergency rule, and popular political and community organisation has been severely weakened. One possibility is that government is attempting to limit the massive resistance expected against the October local government elections, including the boycott call made by a number of those organisations effected by the latest clampdown. But whatever the reason, there remains no excuse whatsoever for believing that ‘reformers’ within the state hold any power. If the distinction between ‘militarists’ and ‘reformers’ is real, then the militarists have so obviously won ascendency that talk of ‘reformers’ wielding influence in government is absurd. There is even less excuse for those elements which stubbornly hold to the belief that the Botha administration has a reform programme. There is no doubt that it has plans to change the face of South Africa. So did the Nationalist government of Verwoerd. But it was never suggested that this involved ‘reform’. Change can be for the worse - and this is what the changes being made by Botha’s militarists involve. South Africa is a society at war. Government is at war with the majority of South Africans and Namibians, with the Angolan nation, and with the majority of frontline states. In Natal, it seems unwilling or unable to use the might of its laws against the vigilante perpetrators of a bloody and enduring civil war. On the labour front, its proposed amendment to the Labour Relations Act, combined with emergency restrictions on Cosatu, aim to close down trade union organisation or render it impotent. This war against the working class has another side, seen in Botha’s new economic deal, the wage freeze and moves to privatise substantial areas of the public sector. Many of the articles in this issue of WIP deal with facets of this war - from the ANC’s armed struggle to Botha’s economic war against the working class; from the Maritzburg civil war to allegations of riot police on the rampage in townships. Government’s 24 February banning of organisations and individuals, and the restrictions on Cosatu activity, must be seen in this context of a society at war with itself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173573 , vital:42385
- Description: As this edition of Work In Progress was going to print the state effectively banned 17 organisations and an undisclosed number of individuals, and severely restricted the Congress of South African Trade Unions. By doing this the government of State President PW Botha has escalated its ongoing war against the people of South and Southern Africa. Precisely why the state chose to act this way at this time is not clear. Visible resistance to apartheid in the townships has declined under the burden of emergency rule, and popular political and community organisation has been severely weakened. One possibility is that government is attempting to limit the massive resistance expected against the October local government elections, including the boycott call made by a number of those organisations effected by the latest clampdown. But whatever the reason, there remains no excuse whatsoever for believing that ‘reformers’ within the state hold any power. If the distinction between ‘militarists’ and ‘reformers’ is real, then the militarists have so obviously won ascendency that talk of ‘reformers’ wielding influence in government is absurd. There is even less excuse for those elements which stubbornly hold to the belief that the Botha administration has a reform programme. There is no doubt that it has plans to change the face of South Africa. So did the Nationalist government of Verwoerd. But it was never suggested that this involved ‘reform’. Change can be for the worse - and this is what the changes being made by Botha’s militarists involve. South Africa is a society at war. Government is at war with the majority of South Africans and Namibians, with the Angolan nation, and with the majority of frontline states. In Natal, it seems unwilling or unable to use the might of its laws against the vigilante perpetrators of a bloody and enduring civil war. On the labour front, its proposed amendment to the Labour Relations Act, combined with emergency restrictions on Cosatu, aim to close down trade union organisation or render it impotent. This war against the working class has another side, seen in Botha’s new economic deal, the wage freeze and moves to privatise substantial areas of the public sector. Many of the articles in this issue of WIP deal with facets of this war - from the ANC’s armed struggle to Botha’s economic war against the working class; from the Maritzburg civil war to allegations of riot police on the rampage in townships. Government’s 24 February banning of organisations and individuals, and the restrictions on Cosatu activity, must be seen in this context of a society at war with itself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
Election Programme for COSATU
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: July 1993
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113977 , vital:33865
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: July 1993
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: July 1993
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113977 , vital:33865
- Description: COSATU must intervene in affiliates where it has identified problems, where problems have been brought to its attention and / or has been requested to do so. The CEC should draw guidelines on how and under which circumstances the federation and its structures may intervene taking into account clauses 3.9 and 3.10 of the constitution. Such intervention should not undermine affiliates where such problems exist. COSATU leadership must be visible during major disputes between affiliates and employers and co-ordinate solidarity with workers involved in such disputes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: July 1993
COSATU constitution as amended at COSATU 2nd National Congress l987
- COSATU
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109708 , vital:33182
- Description: We the Trade Union representatives here present firmiy commit ourselves to a unified democratic South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation. We believe that this can only be achieved under the leadership of a united working class. Our history has taught us that to achieve this goal we will have to carry out the following tasks. To organise the unorganised workers and build effective trade unions based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplaces. Organise national industrial trade unions, financed and controlled by their worker members through democratically elected committees. Unify these industrial unions into a national worker controlled federation. Combat the divisions amongst the workers of South Africa and unite them into a strong and confident working class. Encourage democratic worker organisation and leadership in all spheres of our society together with other progressive sectors of the community. Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggles.We call on all those who identify with this commitment to join us and the workers whom we represent as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all trade unions to strive to unite their members in their ranks without discrimination and prejudice, and therefore resolve that this federation shall determinedly seek to further and protect the interests of all workers and that its guiding motto shall be the universal slogan of working class solidarity: "AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987
- Authors: COSATU
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: COSATU
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109708 , vital:33182
- Description: We the Trade Union representatives here present firmiy commit ourselves to a unified democratic South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation. We believe that this can only be achieved under the leadership of a united working class. Our history has taught us that to achieve this goal we will have to carry out the following tasks. To organise the unorganised workers and build effective trade unions based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplaces. Organise national industrial trade unions, financed and controlled by their worker members through democratically elected committees. Unify these industrial unions into a national worker controlled federation. Combat the divisions amongst the workers of South Africa and unite them into a strong and confident working class. Encourage democratic worker organisation and leadership in all spheres of our society together with other progressive sectors of the community. Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggles.We call on all those who identify with this commitment to join us and the workers whom we represent as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all trade unions to strive to unite their members in their ranks without discrimination and prejudice, and therefore resolve that this federation shall determinedly seek to further and protect the interests of all workers and that its guiding motto shall be the universal slogan of working class solidarity: "AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL".
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987