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NUMSA workers build co-operatives
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114271 , vital:33961
- Description: There are two main co-operative activities that are supported by NUMSA. The one is SAWCO in Natal and the other is the project that is starting here in the East Cape. Does NUMSA have a policy on co-operatives? NUMSA in its Central Committee has taken a decision to support co-ops. But NUMSA is still busy thinking of how we can formulate a policy on co-operatives. We are working towards such a policy. So what is NUMSA's aim in giving support to co-ops? In other words, how can organised workers benefit from the support that NUMSA is giving to these co-op activities? Interview with Cde John Gomomo NUMSA East Cape Regional Chairperson We, the organised workers on the shop floor are becoming more and more mobilised and politicised. We do not believe that the struggle should just end on the shop floor. The struggle of organised workers should also benefit the community. Co-operatives is such an activity that can be of interest to all groups of oppressed people. We, the organised workers with all the skills we have gathered in the organisation, we believe that if we take the lead, co-ops could be fully democratised organisations in the community.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114271 , vital:33961
- Description: There are two main co-operative activities that are supported by NUMSA. The one is SAWCO in Natal and the other is the project that is starting here in the East Cape. Does NUMSA have a policy on co-operatives? NUMSA in its Central Committee has taken a decision to support co-ops. But NUMSA is still busy thinking of how we can formulate a policy on co-operatives. We are working towards such a policy. So what is NUMSA's aim in giving support to co-ops? In other words, how can organised workers benefit from the support that NUMSA is giving to these co-op activities? Interview with Cde John Gomomo NUMSA East Cape Regional Chairperson We, the organised workers on the shop floor are becoming more and more mobilised and politicised. We do not believe that the struggle should just end on the shop floor. The struggle of organised workers should also benefit the community. Co-operatives is such an activity that can be of interest to all groups of oppressed people. We, the organised workers with all the skills we have gathered in the organisation, we believe that if we take the lead, co-ops could be fully democratised organisations in the community.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin - Two enonomies, a global problem?
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2005
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114043 , vital:33882
- Description: It is a year since the last Numsa Bulletin was published in September 2004. Last year Numsa's educators forum discussed how we could use the Numsa Bulletin more effectively. Included in this Bulletin are a number of topical issues that challenge you to debate issues at your local shop steward councils or your workplaces: If you are violently opposed to GEAR, have your views challenged by Motlanthe (page 14), Get your local to analyse what was agreed in the Alliance Summit earlier this year and give your score on whether you think the Alliance has met its targets (pages 22-23). Debate differences between the ANC's NGC document on two economies and Cosatu's response (pages 24-27). If you are an engineering shop steward in Middelburg, Witbank, Vanderbijlpark, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, Vereeniging, then force a debate on the slow integration of House Agreements into the Main Agreement (pages 40-41). If you are an auto shop steward, then read Dumisa Ntuli's ideas (pages 42-44) on the shortcomings with black economic empowerment initiatives in the auto industry and debate the issues in your local/workplace. When was the last time you briefed members in your workplace? Do the organisational test on page 49 and see if you are up to the job. If you fail, redeem yourself by reading the health and safety, training and education sections and then debating and discussing the contents with your fellow members.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2005
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114043 , vital:33882
- Description: It is a year since the last Numsa Bulletin was published in September 2004. Last year Numsa's educators forum discussed how we could use the Numsa Bulletin more effectively. Included in this Bulletin are a number of topical issues that challenge you to debate issues at your local shop steward councils or your workplaces: If you are violently opposed to GEAR, have your views challenged by Motlanthe (page 14), Get your local to analyse what was agreed in the Alliance Summit earlier this year and give your score on whether you think the Alliance has met its targets (pages 22-23). Debate differences between the ANC's NGC document on two economies and Cosatu's response (pages 24-27). If you are an engineering shop steward in Middelburg, Witbank, Vanderbijlpark, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, Vereeniging, then force a debate on the slow integration of House Agreements into the Main Agreement (pages 40-41). If you are an auto shop steward, then read Dumisa Ntuli's ideas (pages 42-44) on the shortcomings with black economic empowerment initiatives in the auto industry and debate the issues in your local/workplace. When was the last time you briefed members in your workplace? Do the organisational test on page 49 and see if you are up to the job. If you fail, redeem yourself by reading the health and safety, training and education sections and then debating and discussing the contents with your fellow members.
- Full Text:
Bosses on the attack! Workers fight back!
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Apr 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113025 , vital:33689
- Description: THE bosses’ system is in crisis. In the auto, tyre, metal and motor sectors, bosses say that they can’t make enough profits. So what is their solution? They say we must help them solve their crisis - by sacrificing our jobs and wages. In every sector where NUMSA is organised the bosses are saying the same thing: "There can be no job security or moratorium on retrenchment workers must be retrenched. There can be no decent or living wage - workers must accept wage increases well below inflation (16%)." The bosses say there can be no compromise on these things if the industries are to survive. They are going ahead with their plans to restructure industries. Their aim is for fewer workers, who earn less money, to produce more for them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Apr 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113025 , vital:33689
- Description: THE bosses’ system is in crisis. In the auto, tyre, metal and motor sectors, bosses say that they can’t make enough profits. So what is their solution? They say we must help them solve their crisis - by sacrificing our jobs and wages. In every sector where NUMSA is organised the bosses are saying the same thing: "There can be no job security or moratorium on retrenchment workers must be retrenched. There can be no decent or living wage - workers must accept wage increases well below inflation (16%)." The bosses say there can be no compromise on these things if the industries are to survive. They are going ahead with their plans to restructure industries. Their aim is for fewer workers, who earn less money, to produce more for them.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Report - Motor industry negotiations
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113106 , vital:33707
- Description: Today the bosses can see that workers are standing up for their rights. Their organisations are growing. 230 000 metal workers are united in NUMSA and more than 1 million workers are united in COSATU. The united power of workers have forced the bosses to accept changes to the vicious LRA. The united voice of the oppressed and exploited people have forced the bosses government to unban our organisations. And so the workers voice demanding control over their own lives is growing stronger day by day. The bosses can see that the workers have a plan. That workers are marching along a road which will lead them to victory and freedom. But the bosses too come with their own plan. And the bosses plan is aimed at protecting and increasing their profits and priviledges. The bosses plan is trying to force the workers to walk along the road of deregulation and increased profits for the bosses. This plan is seeking to divide workers and so to break their strength. The bosses plan aims to undermine centralised bargaining. They are scared to face the united power of motor workers. So they try to shift bargaining to plant and company level.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113106 , vital:33707
- Description: Today the bosses can see that workers are standing up for their rights. Their organisations are growing. 230 000 metal workers are united in NUMSA and more than 1 million workers are united in COSATU. The united power of workers have forced the bosses to accept changes to the vicious LRA. The united voice of the oppressed and exploited people have forced the bosses government to unban our organisations. And so the workers voice demanding control over their own lives is growing stronger day by day. The bosses can see that the workers have a plan. That workers are marching along a road which will lead them to victory and freedom. But the bosses too come with their own plan. And the bosses plan is aimed at protecting and increasing their profits and priviledges. The bosses plan is trying to force the workers to walk along the road of deregulation and increased profits for the bosses. This plan is seeking to divide workers and so to break their strength. The bosses plan aims to undermine centralised bargaining. They are scared to face the united power of motor workers. So they try to shift bargaining to plant and company level.
- Full Text:
NUMSA in 1990 - Grow, lead and move to financial self-sufficiency
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Feb 1990
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113010 , vital:33685
- Description: NUMSA is fully committed to playing an active role in the liberation of the working class and ending the oppression of our people. To do this we have set ourselves certain very important tasks in 1990. They are: To strengthen and democratise our union in order to improve conditions for our members, To actively work in our federation COSATU to strengthen it an to greatly improve our working relationship with other affiliates. To contribute to the liberation struggle by using our strength together with the MDM to defeat oppression and exploitation To play an active role in the community struggles in our land particularly in areas such as the Natal violence To actively contribute to developing programmes for a future South Africa based on democracy and socialist planning to improve the lives of all people, To make our organisation administratively efficient and to develop the skills of leadership, organisers and administrators. To become financially self-sufficient.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Feb 1990
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113010 , vital:33685
- Description: NUMSA is fully committed to playing an active role in the liberation of the working class and ending the oppression of our people. To do this we have set ourselves certain very important tasks in 1990. They are: To strengthen and democratise our union in order to improve conditions for our members, To actively work in our federation COSATU to strengthen it an to greatly improve our working relationship with other affiliates. To contribute to the liberation struggle by using our strength together with the MDM to defeat oppression and exploitation To play an active role in the community struggles in our land particularly in areas such as the Natal violence To actively contribute to developing programmes for a future South Africa based on democracy and socialist planning to improve the lives of all people, To make our organisation administratively efficient and to develop the skills of leadership, organisers and administrators. To become financially self-sufficient.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Congress News - Let us work together as a family of metalworkers
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114065 , vital:33891
- Description: From the 25 to the 29 September, NUMSA held its Fifth National Congress. Seven hundred and sixty-two delegates came from all our locals. They had prepared well. We saw from the debate. I was afraid before the Congress. I was not happy. 80% j of the shop stewards you elected in 1996 were new. I thought the level of debate at the Congress was not going to be high. But I was wrong - the level of debate was high. We must be proud of ourselves. Thank you for mandating your representatives to Congress - that is what we mean by worker control and democracy. We are doing our work under different conditions compared to before April 27, 1994. We have a democratically elected government in place. It is not as hostile as its predecessor. But the reality of the situation is that as workers in the workplace, nothing has changed. Management is coming to us with new ideas like kaizen, team-work, etc. These are all about eliminating waste. They define waste as anything that is not absolutely essential to production. They want to get to the lowest levels of inputs, equipment, material and workers. This means more and more control over workers’ time and activities, a faster workplace, longer and more irregular hours. They standardise jobs and make the workplace more regimented. So we have to focus our efforts collectively on our “core business” - to represent our members effectively. We have to fight for job security, training, technical skills and better increases. We have to do all these under difficult conditions, for example, reduction of tariffs to conform with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation. We do not want the country’s economy to be cushioned forever but the drastic restructuring results in job loss and factory closures. We must have an alternative in place to ensure that people do not once more swell the swollen ranks of the unemployed. Work organisation is taking place in different forms in different workplaces. We are involved in these processes. I know that when shop stewards give report backs and persuade members to accept certain things in exchange for job security, members tend to regard them as management stooges. We mustn’t think like that. It is causing division amongst us. Outside the workplace, the balance of forces is not in favour of the working class for reasons that we all know. We must work together as workers, shop stewards, administrators and organisers to build our Union into a coherent vehicle. Only a strong vehicle can play a leading role in freeing our people economically. Let us work together as the family of metalworkers!
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114065 , vital:33891
- Description: From the 25 to the 29 September, NUMSA held its Fifth National Congress. Seven hundred and sixty-two delegates came from all our locals. They had prepared well. We saw from the debate. I was afraid before the Congress. I was not happy. 80% j of the shop stewards you elected in 1996 were new. I thought the level of debate at the Congress was not going to be high. But I was wrong - the level of debate was high. We must be proud of ourselves. Thank you for mandating your representatives to Congress - that is what we mean by worker control and democracy. We are doing our work under different conditions compared to before April 27, 1994. We have a democratically elected government in place. It is not as hostile as its predecessor. But the reality of the situation is that as workers in the workplace, nothing has changed. Management is coming to us with new ideas like kaizen, team-work, etc. These are all about eliminating waste. They define waste as anything that is not absolutely essential to production. They want to get to the lowest levels of inputs, equipment, material and workers. This means more and more control over workers’ time and activities, a faster workplace, longer and more irregular hours. They standardise jobs and make the workplace more regimented. So we have to focus our efforts collectively on our “core business” - to represent our members effectively. We have to fight for job security, training, technical skills and better increases. We have to do all these under difficult conditions, for example, reduction of tariffs to conform with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation. We do not want the country’s economy to be cushioned forever but the drastic restructuring results in job loss and factory closures. We must have an alternative in place to ensure that people do not once more swell the swollen ranks of the unemployed. Work organisation is taking place in different forms in different workplaces. We are involved in these processes. I know that when shop stewards give report backs and persuade members to accept certain things in exchange for job security, members tend to regard them as management stooges. We mustn’t think like that. It is causing division amongst us. Outside the workplace, the balance of forces is not in favour of the working class for reasons that we all know. We must work together as workers, shop stewards, administrators and organisers to build our Union into a coherent vehicle. Only a strong vehicle can play a leading role in freeing our people economically. Let us work together as the family of metalworkers!
- Full Text:
NUMSA - Motor industry participants workbook
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117852 , vital:34564
- Description: Industrial Councils were established in terms of the 1924 Industrial Conciliation Act (ICA). Even with the ICA giving way to the LRA of 1956, Industrial Councils remained the central forums for collective bargaining. Because African workers were excluded from the definition of an "employee" both in the ICA & LRA of 1956, African workers and their unions did not participate in Industrial Councils. As a result of this the.Councils were then used by white unions to promote the interests of skilled white workers. This situation only partially changed in 1979 when the LRA was changed to give African workers bargaining rights. From then on African workers and their unions could participate in Industrial Councils.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117852 , vital:34564
- Description: Industrial Councils were established in terms of the 1924 Industrial Conciliation Act (ICA). Even with the ICA giving way to the LRA of 1956, Industrial Councils remained the central forums for collective bargaining. Because African workers were excluded from the definition of an "employee" both in the ICA & LRA of 1956, African workers and their unions did not participate in Industrial Councils. As a result of this the.Councils were then used by white unions to promote the interests of skilled white workers. This situation only partially changed in 1979 when the LRA was changed to give African workers bargaining rights. From then on African workers and their unions could participate in Industrial Councils.
- Full Text:
Report of NUMSA research groups to the national campaign committee
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 1989
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117452 , vital:34516
- Description: The idea of developing Research Groups in NUMSA was agreed to within the Education Programme for 1989. The areas of research emerged from the organising sectors of the union. This link between research, education and organisation was seen to be very important. The experiment has been very successful and could point the way to a successful research method for many other projects. The research groups have effectively combined academic researchers, service organisations and worker leaders. This has proved a powerful combination. The basic idea was that a small group of between 10-15 people from within NUMSA would work with outside researchers on certain key areas. The task of the group was to identify problems and a framework of proposals for how NUMSA could deal with the issues. These recommendations then went to the organisational structures for discussion and endorsement. Once endorsed it became the task of: organisational structures to carry out the implementation of the proposals through collective bargaining and campaigns. Education to educate and train people within the unions on these issues. Education would work with the research groups in doing this. the research groups to continue research if necessary. It is also our aim to link these research groups to study tours to other countries so that we can make comparisons.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 1989
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117452 , vital:34516
- Description: The idea of developing Research Groups in NUMSA was agreed to within the Education Programme for 1989. The areas of research emerged from the organising sectors of the union. This link between research, education and organisation was seen to be very important. The experiment has been very successful and could point the way to a successful research method for many other projects. The research groups have effectively combined academic researchers, service organisations and worker leaders. This has proved a powerful combination. The basic idea was that a small group of between 10-15 people from within NUMSA would work with outside researchers on certain key areas. The task of the group was to identify problems and a framework of proposals for how NUMSA could deal with the issues. These recommendations then went to the organisational structures for discussion and endorsement. Once endorsed it became the task of: organisational structures to carry out the implementation of the proposals through collective bargaining and campaigns. Education to educate and train people within the unions on these issues. Education would work with the research groups in doing this. the research groups to continue research if necessary. It is also our aim to link these research groups to study tours to other countries so that we can make comparisons.
- Full Text:
Bosses on the attack! Workers fight back!
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Apr 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112534 , vital:33604
- Description: THE bosses’ system is in crisis. In the auto, tyre, metal and motor sectors, bosses say that they can’t make enough profits. So what is their solution? They say we must help them solve their crisis - by sacrificing our jobs and wages. In every sector where NUMSA is organised the bosses are saying the same thing: "There can be no job security or moratorium on retrenchment workers must be retrenched. There can be no decent or living wage - workers must accept wage increases well below inflation (16%)." The bosses say there can be no compromise on these things if the industries are to survive. They are going ahead with their plans to restructure industries. Their aim is for fewer workers, who earn less money, to produce more for them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Apr 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112534 , vital:33604
- Description: THE bosses’ system is in crisis. In the auto, tyre, metal and motor sectors, bosses say that they can’t make enough profits. So what is their solution? They say we must help them solve their crisis - by sacrificing our jobs and wages. In every sector where NUMSA is organised the bosses are saying the same thing: "There can be no job security or moratorium on retrenchment workers must be retrenched. There can be no decent or living wage - workers must accept wage increases well below inflation (16%)." The bosses say there can be no compromise on these things if the industries are to survive. They are going ahead with their plans to restructure industries. Their aim is for fewer workers, who earn less money, to produce more for them.
- Full Text:
4th National Congress July 1993
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1993
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112523 , vital:33603
- Description: Our National Congress is the highest decision making body of the Union. Its main task is to adopt resolutions that become the policies of NUMSA. These policies guide the union on how to act until the next Congress. After previous Congresses, we have only published the adopted resolutions. But this has meant that our members have lost out on the lively debates that have taken place during the Congress. In this booklet, we try and bring the Congress alive for you. We give you the full text of the General Secretary’s report, the debates as they took place, word for word. What was decided on the Alliance? Why do we want “nationalisation without compensation”? What was the decision on the Working Class Party? The final resolutions that were adopted are there for you to see. Extracts from speeches of various speakers are also given. Two key issues - the contents of the Reconstruction Accord and Restructuring Industry - will continue to be discussed in the Union. (The documents are included; see pages 65-82) Congress mandated the next Central Committee in October 1993 to take decisions on these issues. Use the booklet to find out for yourself what was said. You will be able to see what were the reasons given for the different positions. This will help you explain to members why NUMSA has adopted these resolutions. You will also see how democracy takes place. In some cases, compromises were reached, in other cases there was no compromise and the motion had to be put to the vote. Comrades, as our new President, Cde Tom, said in the Congress. “Our primary duty is to serve the interests of our members and those who have elected us to represent them It is therefore necessary for us to be accountable to them in shaping the policies of the union. Most of the time we do not consult our members when we debate issues - even on minor issues we leave them behind It is very dangerous for us to create a distance between ourselves and our members. The members must not follow but must be there with us. We must remember our base is the factory floor." Use this booklet as a tool to get rid of that distance between you and the members. Use it to help you understand the positions that NUMSA has adopted as its policies. The General Secretary’s Report also gives a full picture of how NUMSA functions and gives useful background information to many of the discussions. The Tables mentioned are at the back of the book; see page 83 to the end. In this first section the debates and the speeches have been put into shaded boxes so it is easier for you to read. Use the booklet to build, strengthen and consolidate our Union in these difficult times.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1993
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112523 , vital:33603
- Description: Our National Congress is the highest decision making body of the Union. Its main task is to adopt resolutions that become the policies of NUMSA. These policies guide the union on how to act until the next Congress. After previous Congresses, we have only published the adopted resolutions. But this has meant that our members have lost out on the lively debates that have taken place during the Congress. In this booklet, we try and bring the Congress alive for you. We give you the full text of the General Secretary’s report, the debates as they took place, word for word. What was decided on the Alliance? Why do we want “nationalisation without compensation”? What was the decision on the Working Class Party? The final resolutions that were adopted are there for you to see. Extracts from speeches of various speakers are also given. Two key issues - the contents of the Reconstruction Accord and Restructuring Industry - will continue to be discussed in the Union. (The documents are included; see pages 65-82) Congress mandated the next Central Committee in October 1993 to take decisions on these issues. Use the booklet to find out for yourself what was said. You will be able to see what were the reasons given for the different positions. This will help you explain to members why NUMSA has adopted these resolutions. You will also see how democracy takes place. In some cases, compromises were reached, in other cases there was no compromise and the motion had to be put to the vote. Comrades, as our new President, Cde Tom, said in the Congress. “Our primary duty is to serve the interests of our members and those who have elected us to represent them It is therefore necessary for us to be accountable to them in shaping the policies of the union. Most of the time we do not consult our members when we debate issues - even on minor issues we leave them behind It is very dangerous for us to create a distance between ourselves and our members. The members must not follow but must be there with us. We must remember our base is the factory floor." Use this booklet as a tool to get rid of that distance between you and the members. Use it to help you understand the positions that NUMSA has adopted as its policies. The General Secretary’s Report also gives a full picture of how NUMSA functions and gives useful background information to many of the discussions. The Tables mentioned are at the back of the book; see page 83 to the end. In this first section the debates and the speeches have been put into shaded boxes so it is easier for you to read. Use the booklet to build, strengthen and consolidate our Union in these difficult times.
- Full Text:
Barbara Lomax Trade Union School for Women 25-30 October 1998 at Franshhoek mountain manor
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112503 , vital:33601
- Description: This was the first time I attended any Gender workshop or seminar. I can truly say that this was a real eyeopener to me. I would recommend this course or any other similar course to all women and not only to trade unionist , because we must empower ourselves.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112503 , vital:33601
- Description: This was the first time I attended any Gender workshop or seminar. I can truly say that this was a real eyeopener to me. I would recommend this course or any other similar course to all women and not only to trade unionist , because we must empower ourselves.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin - Time to face the bosses
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116122 , vital:34308
- Description: It is often said that it is not enough to be busy in the trade union movement or even in the corporate environment nowadays. The big question is: what is it you are busy with? What to do about countless scheduled or impromptu meetings, political sessions, mass campaigns, workshops, relationship and capacity- building consultations in the regions and nationally, has become another matter of daily debates in our structures. Everyone in the labour movement has a view on why this and that meeting or the other campaign has to be taken up with urgency. Many of us are regarded as experts on labour activities. And this results in time pressures and internal hurly-burly. It is because the organization must achieve its ultimate goals in the end. Ultimate goals inform our major organizational objectives ranked by their highest priority. These include progress on the motor recruitment campaign. the white-collar workers recruitment drive, monitoring major bargaining, food prices, fuel price increases and the latest CPI-X and regional policy workshops, culminating in the National Bargaining Conference in April 2007. Charles Schwab, the world's greatest industrialist. with great ability and perspicacity, is known as a most efficient, fabulously rich steel worker who led and transformed the Bethlehem Steel plant into the largest independent global steel producer. But, that did not immunize him from pressures and time-wasting interruptions. He once issued a challenge to a management consultant to show him the way to get more things done with his time and promised to "pay any fee within reason.” The consultant, without hesitation gave him a pad of blank paper and wrote on it: “Each night write down the things you have to do tomorrow, number them in the order of their importance. Start working on priority item number one and continue until finished. Then start item number two, then three, and do not worry if you have not managed to finish them.” The consultant was paid handsomely within seconds of dispensing this discreet advice. She was probably paid a million dollars or more. Some extremely important considerations arise in relation to this big question, as we intensify our 2007 programme of confronting the class logic of capital through collective bargaining. We have to look at them carefully, if we are to realize the objectives we have set for the giant metalworkers’ union this year.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116122 , vital:34308
- Description: It is often said that it is not enough to be busy in the trade union movement or even in the corporate environment nowadays. The big question is: what is it you are busy with? What to do about countless scheduled or impromptu meetings, political sessions, mass campaigns, workshops, relationship and capacity- building consultations in the regions and nationally, has become another matter of daily debates in our structures. Everyone in the labour movement has a view on why this and that meeting or the other campaign has to be taken up with urgency. Many of us are regarded as experts on labour activities. And this results in time pressures and internal hurly-burly. It is because the organization must achieve its ultimate goals in the end. Ultimate goals inform our major organizational objectives ranked by their highest priority. These include progress on the motor recruitment campaign. the white-collar workers recruitment drive, monitoring major bargaining, food prices, fuel price increases and the latest CPI-X and regional policy workshops, culminating in the National Bargaining Conference in April 2007. Charles Schwab, the world's greatest industrialist. with great ability and perspicacity, is known as a most efficient, fabulously rich steel worker who led and transformed the Bethlehem Steel plant into the largest independent global steel producer. But, that did not immunize him from pressures and time-wasting interruptions. He once issued a challenge to a management consultant to show him the way to get more things done with his time and promised to "pay any fee within reason.” The consultant, without hesitation gave him a pad of blank paper and wrote on it: “Each night write down the things you have to do tomorrow, number them in the order of their importance. Start working on priority item number one and continue until finished. Then start item number two, then three, and do not worry if you have not managed to finish them.” The consultant was paid handsomely within seconds of dispensing this discreet advice. She was probably paid a million dollars or more. Some extremely important considerations arise in relation to this big question, as we intensify our 2007 programme of confronting the class logic of capital through collective bargaining. We have to look at them carefully, if we are to realize the objectives we have set for the giant metalworkers’ union this year.
- Full Text:
The road ahead
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113080 , vital:33699
- Description: Comrades, in 1993 we set out what we wanted to win by June 1996. Then we achieved the victory that we had fought so hard for - a non-racial government that is democratic and transparent. But on the shopfloor we still see apartheid: racial inequalities - high wage differences between workers and management, poorly trained workers (mostly black and our members) racist management who oppress our members, badly managed factories with S old machinery. All these are obstacles that prevent us building worker power, worker control and a better life for all. Read what we have won. Discuss what we should campaign around in 1995.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113080 , vital:33699
- Description: Comrades, in 1993 we set out what we wanted to win by June 1996. Then we achieved the victory that we had fought so hard for - a non-racial government that is democratic and transparent. But on the shopfloor we still see apartheid: racial inequalities - high wage differences between workers and management, poorly trained workers (mostly black and our members) racist management who oppress our members, badly managed factories with S old machinery. All these are obstacles that prevent us building worker power, worker control and a better life for all. Read what we have won. Discuss what we should campaign around in 1995.
- Full Text:
Metalworkers prepare to Fight for a Living Wage
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110675 , vital:33321
- Description: The NUMSA 1990 Living Wage Campaign is starting to move. After a slow start NUMSA members are gearing up for the big fight. We are going through big changes in South Africa. We want to tell the bosses and De Klerk: the workers will never end the struggle lor a Living Wage, jobs for all, houses for all, proper health care for all. De Klerk must meet our demands. We want to end the system that gives the bosses freedom to exploit workers. Our battle cry this year is: Our Industry, Our Country, Forward to Workers' Control. In February this year NUMSA/Es National Bargaining Conference set-out the workers demand.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110675 , vital:33321
- Description: The NUMSA 1990 Living Wage Campaign is starting to move. After a slow start NUMSA members are gearing up for the big fight. We are going through big changes in South Africa. We want to tell the bosses and De Klerk: the workers will never end the struggle lor a Living Wage, jobs for all, houses for all, proper health care for all. De Klerk must meet our demands. We want to end the system that gives the bosses freedom to exploit workers. Our battle cry this year is: Our Industry, Our Country, Forward to Workers' Control. In February this year NUMSA/Es National Bargaining Conference set-out the workers demand.
- Full Text:
The new union subscriptions
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1987
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112732 , vital:33650
- Description: THE Inaugural Congress of NUMSA decided that all members must pay a subscription of R1,00 per week. The Central Committee was given the power to decide when members should start paying the new subscription. The Central Committee has decided that all members of NUMSA must pay R1,00 per week union subscription from 1st October 1987. In some establishments, you may have to sign new stop- orders. NUMSA will demand from management that they automatically change the amount of the subscription. Some companies may refuse to do this and may ask you to sign a new stop-order. Discuss this with your organiser before you sign anything. In addition to the R1 per week for the union subscription, there will be 30c per week for benefit funds. An explanation of how all this money will be used is given in this pamphlet. Please make sure that you fully discuss this with all the members in your factory or workshop so that all NUMSA members are clear about the new subscriptions before the 1st of October 1987.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1987
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112732 , vital:33650
- Description: THE Inaugural Congress of NUMSA decided that all members must pay a subscription of R1,00 per week. The Central Committee was given the power to decide when members should start paying the new subscription. The Central Committee has decided that all members of NUMSA must pay R1,00 per week union subscription from 1st October 1987. In some establishments, you may have to sign new stop- orders. NUMSA will demand from management that they automatically change the amount of the subscription. Some companies may refuse to do this and may ask you to sign a new stop-order. Discuss this with your organiser before you sign anything. In addition to the R1 per week for the union subscription, there will be 30c per week for benefit funds. An explanation of how all this money will be used is given in this pamphlet. Please make sure that you fully discuss this with all the members in your factory or workshop so that all NUMSA members are clear about the new subscriptions before the 1st of October 1987.
- Full Text:
First Democratic Elections
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110159 , vital:33238
- Description: Every member is free to join any political party. NUMSA will encourage its members to vote ANC because it wants a strong government to fix up the country's and workers' problems. NUMSA members must not force anyone to vote for the ANC or any other party. NUMSA members must be free to vote (or not vote) for whoever they want. It is your right to vote; it is also your right not to vote. BUT you may not force anyone to vote or not vote. Voting stations will be in places like schools, community halls. Ask and discuss with your fellow workers, ask at NUMSA or COSATU offices, listen to your radio, look for posters and pamphlets nearer election time to find out.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110159 , vital:33238
- Description: Every member is free to join any political party. NUMSA will encourage its members to vote ANC because it wants a strong government to fix up the country's and workers' problems. NUMSA members must not force anyone to vote for the ANC or any other party. NUMSA members must be free to vote (or not vote) for whoever they want. It is your right to vote; it is also your right not to vote. BUT you may not force anyone to vote or not vote. Voting stations will be in places like schools, community halls. Ask and discuss with your fellow workers, ask at NUMSA or COSATU offices, listen to your radio, look for posters and pamphlets nearer election time to find out.
- Full Text:
Strike
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Aug 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112756 , vital:33652
- Description: THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of NUMSA met on 27-28 June and agreed that strike action is necessary to achieve our demands in these industries: NICISEMI - Iron, Steel, Engineering, Metallurgical Industry, NICMI - Motor, NBF - Auto, TYRE AND RUBBER. The NEC has therefore decided to hold a STRIKE BALLOT for workers in NICISEMI, Auto and Tyre and Rubber from 6-17 July 1992. The workers in NICMI will ballot later because the Agreement only expires on 31 August 1992. The votes will be counted on the 18-19 July. The STRIKE COMMITTEE will meet on 20 July to consider the ballot result and decide on strike action.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Aug 1992
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112756 , vital:33652
- Description: THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of NUMSA met on 27-28 June and agreed that strike action is necessary to achieve our demands in these industries: NICISEMI - Iron, Steel, Engineering, Metallurgical Industry, NICMI - Motor, NBF - Auto, TYRE AND RUBBER. The NEC has therefore decided to hold a STRIKE BALLOT for workers in NICISEMI, Auto and Tyre and Rubber from 6-17 July 1992. The workers in NICMI will ballot later because the Agreement only expires on 31 August 1992. The votes will be counted on the 18-19 July. The STRIKE COMMITTEE will meet on 20 July to consider the ballot result and decide on strike action.
- Full Text: