Women’s Leadership in COSATU: Research Report, March 1999
- Authors: Orr, Liesl
- Date: 1999-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112470 , vital:33585
- Description: The aim of this paper is to provide updated figures on women’s representation in leadership structures in COSATU. These figures enable the federation to review progress and to set targets for women’s leadership, as resolved in the 1997 COSATU Congress. The paper provides the most recent statistics (for 1998) on women’s leadership in COSATU at regional and national level. The intention of this report was to focus on collecting the actual figures and is therefore confined to a more quantitative (statistical) reflection on women’s leadership. It will be valuable to embark on further research that examines the qualitative aspects, in other words, women’s experiences of leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999-03
- Authors: Orr, Liesl
- Date: 1999-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112470 , vital:33585
- Description: The aim of this paper is to provide updated figures on women’s representation in leadership structures in COSATU. These figures enable the federation to review progress and to set targets for women’s leadership, as resolved in the 1997 COSATU Congress. The paper provides the most recent statistics (for 1998) on women’s leadership in COSATU at regional and national level. The intention of this report was to focus on collecting the actual figures and is therefore confined to a more quantitative (statistical) reflection on women’s leadership. It will be valuable to embark on further research that examines the qualitative aspects, in other words, women’s experiences of leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999-03
Wage negotiations workbook
- Authors: Workers' Education Project
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Wages , Employee fringe benefits -- South Africa , Collective bargaining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111129 , vital:33388
- Description: A house that is built on a weak foundation cannot stand. The same is true of a union that is entering the negotiations. A union's foundations for effective and successful bargaining must be built a long time before the negotiations with the employer begins. Many unions fight hard to gain recognition with employers; and then fail miserably in negotiations because they did not make even the simplest basic preparations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
- Authors: Workers' Education Project
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Wages , Employee fringe benefits -- South Africa , Collective bargaining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111129 , vital:33388
- Description: A house that is built on a weak foundation cannot stand. The same is true of a union that is entering the negotiations. A union's foundations for effective and successful bargaining must be built a long time before the negotiations with the employer begins. Many unions fight hard to gain recognition with employers; and then fail miserably in negotiations because they did not make even the simplest basic preparations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
Tribute to the late Violet Seboni, 1965-2009
- South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union
- Authors: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union
- Date: 2009?
- Subjects: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union , Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110537 , vital:33297
- Description: Violet Seboni was born on 18 September 1965. It was to be a turbulent start to life for this young girl who never got to know her father, in a story that started in sadness. And shortly after her birth, it was her mother too that she lost in circumstances that no one should experience. She knew pain and later in life she stood up for those in pain. Young Violet was raised by her grandmother for the first few years of her life, and when her grandmother died, it was her granny’s friend - in a culture where ubuntu requires that we reach out to others - who took on the responsibility to rear the young girl and to become her comforter, her provider, her mother. Violet went to primary school and later to Madibane High School in Diepkloof, where she developed a love for netball and a passion for activism. After high school, she became pregnant and her beloved daughter Lesego was born. She looked for work, and like generations of young, working- class women before her, she turned to the clothing industry, to use her hands, her dexterity and her skill to earn a living to feed her young family. The role the industry plays, to give work, bread and life to those in need, is in itself a reason not to let the industry die simply due to the cold, harsh winds of global competition and indifference or inaction from those who have the power to intervene, to use trade measures and to use industrial policy tools to save jobs and absorb our people into decent work opportunities. The industry that young Violet chose is one whose factories in Joburg grew with the discovery of minerals and the rapid growth of an urban population that needed to be clothed. Violet’s predecessors in the industry were white women sewing machinists, mainly Afrikaners, often the wives and daughters of the Afrikaner mineworkers who as 'by-woners', were like their black brethren, driven off the land and into the cities hungry for labour. Trade unionism took root among the male mineworkers - Die Mynwerkers Unie was their vehicle - and among female garment workers - through the Garment Workers Union. , A new growth path for decent work in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather industry
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009?
- Authors: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union
- Date: 2009?
- Subjects: South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union , Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110537 , vital:33297
- Description: Violet Seboni was born on 18 September 1965. It was to be a turbulent start to life for this young girl who never got to know her father, in a story that started in sadness. And shortly after her birth, it was her mother too that she lost in circumstances that no one should experience. She knew pain and later in life she stood up for those in pain. Young Violet was raised by her grandmother for the first few years of her life, and when her grandmother died, it was her granny’s friend - in a culture where ubuntu requires that we reach out to others - who took on the responsibility to rear the young girl and to become her comforter, her provider, her mother. Violet went to primary school and later to Madibane High School in Diepkloof, where she developed a love for netball and a passion for activism. After high school, she became pregnant and her beloved daughter Lesego was born. She looked for work, and like generations of young, working- class women before her, she turned to the clothing industry, to use her hands, her dexterity and her skill to earn a living to feed her young family. The role the industry plays, to give work, bread and life to those in need, is in itself a reason not to let the industry die simply due to the cold, harsh winds of global competition and indifference or inaction from those who have the power to intervene, to use trade measures and to use industrial policy tools to save jobs and absorb our people into decent work opportunities. The industry that young Violet chose is one whose factories in Joburg grew with the discovery of minerals and the rapid growth of an urban population that needed to be clothed. Violet’s predecessors in the industry were white women sewing machinists, mainly Afrikaners, often the wives and daughters of the Afrikaner mineworkers who as 'by-woners', were like their black brethren, driven off the land and into the cities hungry for labour. Trade unionism took root among the male mineworkers - Die Mynwerkers Unie was their vehicle - and among female garment workers - through the Garment Workers Union. , A new growth path for decent work in the clothing, textile, footwear and leather industry
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009?
Transport and General Workers Union: Progress report on developments in TGWU during the period August 1987-July 1988
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-08-08
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103255 , vital:32226
- Description: The past year has been a very dramatic one for TGWU. It has been a year of enormous growth in membership, and at the same time a year where we have had to deal with the traumas of numerous mergers (both into TGWU, and TGWU membership into other unions). We have had to endure the difficulties of being without a physical locality for our head office for three months (after the bomb attack on Cosatu House), and more recently the arson attack on our head office premises. In an attempt to cope with the growth of the union we have developed new structures, and have expanded our staff at all levels. The year has also of course been a very dramatic one for the trade union movement as a whole, and for Cosatu in particular. The two most serious features of this have been the restricting of Cosatu in terms of the State of Emergency (along with 17 other organisations), and the proposed Labour Relations Amendment Bill. TGWU has tried to address these issues with the seriousness and determined opposition that they deserve. As a result, the state has seen fit to clash with our members, as witnessed by the detention (and now trial) of our first vice president, Comrade Alfred Ndlovu, and at least 15 other TGWU memebers over the past year. Nine TGWU members are still suffering in the isolation and evilness of detention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-08-08
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-08-08
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103255 , vital:32226
- Description: The past year has been a very dramatic one for TGWU. It has been a year of enormous growth in membership, and at the same time a year where we have had to deal with the traumas of numerous mergers (both into TGWU, and TGWU membership into other unions). We have had to endure the difficulties of being without a physical locality for our head office for three months (after the bomb attack on Cosatu House), and more recently the arson attack on our head office premises. In an attempt to cope with the growth of the union we have developed new structures, and have expanded our staff at all levels. The year has also of course been a very dramatic one for the trade union movement as a whole, and for Cosatu in particular. The two most serious features of this have been the restricting of Cosatu in terms of the State of Emergency (along with 17 other organisations), and the proposed Labour Relations Amendment Bill. TGWU has tried to address these issues with the seriousness and determined opposition that they deserve. As a result, the state has seen fit to clash with our members, as witnessed by the detention (and now trial) of our first vice president, Comrade Alfred Ndlovu, and at least 15 other TGWU memebers over the past year. Nine TGWU members are still suffering in the isolation and evilness of detention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-08-08
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter September, 1987
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-09
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98243 , vital:31558
- Description: On 31 July the Town Clerk of Diepmeadow Council (Soweto) told 12 meter readers that a private company was taking over the meter reading section of the council. So meter readers were no longer employed by the council. At once 1,200 TGWU council workers went on strike and demanded the reinstatement of the 12 workers. The 12 workers were reinstated but the workers continued the strike demanding the dismissal of Noel Gaum, the Town Clerk. The council agreed to meet about Gaum so workers returned to work. But after the meeting Gaum was not dismissed. So workers struck for 2 more days. Workers, clerks, township managers and social workers were united in calling for Gaum's dismissal. Gaum worked before as town clerk in Lekoa and Tumahole Councils and was not liked. Diepmeadow workers outlined 37 grievances against Gaum. Some of these grievances are that Gaum is rascist, that he is rude to workers, that he never consults workers on anything, and that when the council was upgraded to a city council Gaum got a 20% salary increase but workers did not. In response to worker demands the Diepmeadow Council dismissed Gaum and gave workers the 20% increase they demanded.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-09
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-09
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98243 , vital:31558
- Description: On 31 July the Town Clerk of Diepmeadow Council (Soweto) told 12 meter readers that a private company was taking over the meter reading section of the council. So meter readers were no longer employed by the council. At once 1,200 TGWU council workers went on strike and demanded the reinstatement of the 12 workers. The 12 workers were reinstated but the workers continued the strike demanding the dismissal of Noel Gaum, the Town Clerk. The council agreed to meet about Gaum so workers returned to work. But after the meeting Gaum was not dismissed. So workers struck for 2 more days. Workers, clerks, township managers and social workers were united in calling for Gaum's dismissal. Gaum worked before as town clerk in Lekoa and Tumahole Councils and was not liked. Diepmeadow workers outlined 37 grievances against Gaum. Some of these grievances are that Gaum is rascist, that he is rude to workers, that he never consults workers on anything, and that when the council was upgraded to a city council Gaum got a 20% salary increase but workers did not. In response to worker demands the Diepmeadow Council dismissed Gaum and gave workers the 20% increase they demanded.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-09
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter November, 1988
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-11
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102764 , vital:32172
- Description: In August, 3 Putco TGWU drivers and one unemployed man were sentenced to death in the Supreme Court in Durban. The judge said they were guilty of murdering another bus driver, Shezi, in November 1986. How did all this come about? The crisis started in October 1986. The traffic manager at Durban South Putco depot wanted to discipline a driver who was in an accident. But the manager did not follow the disciplinary procedure so workers lodged a grievance against the manager. The manager did not come to the grievance hearing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-11
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-11
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102764 , vital:32172
- Description: In August, 3 Putco TGWU drivers and one unemployed man were sentenced to death in the Supreme Court in Durban. The judge said they were guilty of murdering another bus driver, Shezi, in November 1986. How did all this come about? The crisis started in October 1986. The traffic manager at Durban South Putco depot wanted to discipline a driver who was in an accident. But the manager did not follow the disciplinary procedure so workers lodged a grievance against the manager. The manager did not come to the grievance hearing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-11
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter November, 1987
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-09
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98254 , vital:31559
- Description: On 12 November about 1000 security guards at South African Security Services in Springs went on strike. Workers were angry about the dismissal of 7 workers and management refused to meet the workers. So workers stopped work. Twice management told workers to report to work. Both times the bosses did not send transport. Then the bosses told workers to come to the head office. Workers went, the police arrived and arrested 10 shop stewards. The bosses tried to get workers to say that TGWU forced workers to strike. The director even tortured a shop steward with electric shocks to force him to sign a statement. The shop steward has laid a charge against the director for assault. The strike lasted 7 days then management took some workers back. Other workers were dismissed. We are now taking these union bashing bosses to the Industrial Court to reinstate workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-09
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-09
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98254 , vital:31559
- Description: On 12 November about 1000 security guards at South African Security Services in Springs went on strike. Workers were angry about the dismissal of 7 workers and management refused to meet the workers. So workers stopped work. Twice management told workers to report to work. Both times the bosses did not send transport. Then the bosses told workers to come to the head office. Workers went, the police arrived and arrested 10 shop stewards. The bosses tried to get workers to say that TGWU forced workers to strike. The director even tortured a shop steward with electric shocks to force him to sign a statement. The shop steward has laid a charge against the director for assault. The strike lasted 7 days then management took some workers back. Other workers were dismissed. We are now taking these union bashing bosses to the Industrial Court to reinstate workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-09
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter May, 1988
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-05
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98181 , vital:31551
- Description: In April COSATU held a very important conference - their first Women's Conference. 12 TGWU women went to the conference and took part in the workshops on Women at Work, Women and Health and Safety, Women in the Unions, and Women in the Community. The conference put forward some important and new ideas for unions to act on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-05
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1988-05
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98181 , vital:31551
- Description: In April COSATU held a very important conference - their first Women's Conference. 12 TGWU women went to the conference and took part in the workshops on Women at Work, Women and Health and Safety, Women in the Unions, and Women in the Community. The conference put forward some important and new ideas for unions to act on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-05
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter June, 1987
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-06
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98196 , vital:31552
- Description: Impala Coach Tours: TGWU declared a dispute with Impala Coach Tours which runs buses from Jan Smuts Airport, and to Sun City. The dispute concerns Impala's refusal to recognise the union and the dismissal of a worker, Mr Ernest Nelwamando. Ernest was dismissed after a company mechanic hit him with an iron bar when Ernest reported that his bus had faulty gears. Ernest was off work for 3 days. When he returned to work he was hit again by the director's son and then dismissed. TGWU applied for a Conciliation Board, and referred the disputes to the Industrial Court. Workers have reported the company to the Dept, of Manpower as workers the company is operating outside the law around wages and other conditions of work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-06
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1987-06
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98196 , vital:31552
- Description: Impala Coach Tours: TGWU declared a dispute with Impala Coach Tours which runs buses from Jan Smuts Airport, and to Sun City. The dispute concerns Impala's refusal to recognise the union and the dismissal of a worker, Mr Ernest Nelwamando. Ernest was dismissed after a company mechanic hit him with an iron bar when Ernest reported that his bus had faulty gears. Ernest was off work for 3 days. When he returned to work he was hit again by the director's son and then dismissed. TGWU applied for a Conciliation Board, and referred the disputes to the Industrial Court. Workers have reported the company to the Dept, of Manpower as workers the company is operating outside the law around wages and other conditions of work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1987-06
Transport and General Workers Union: Newsletter January, 1988
- TGWU
- Authors: TGWU
- Date: 1988-01
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Collective bargaining , Collective labour agreements , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98154 , vital:31548
- Description: Drastic changes to Labour Relations Act: the government are trying to clip the wings of the union movement. There is a Labour Relations Amendment Bill in Parliament at the moment. If this bill becomes law this year, the labour movement will be very weak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-01
- Authors: TGWU
- Date: 1988-01
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Collective bargaining , Collective labour agreements , Transport workers -- Labour unions -- South Africa
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/98154 , vital:31548
- Description: Drastic changes to Labour Relations Act: the government are trying to clip the wings of the union movement. There is a Labour Relations Amendment Bill in Parliament at the moment. If this bill becomes law this year, the labour movement will be very weak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988-01
Transport and General Workers Union: congress report financial progress report for period July 1988 to November 1989
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-07
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103428 , vital:32245
- Description: In reviewing the developments in T&G finances over the past eighteen months, we can safely say that T&G finances have certainly stabilized over the period. However, in case we get too excited at this news, a note of caution. While our income from subscriptions has steadily improved, due mainly to the Congress ’88 increase in rate (from R3 to R4); our expenditure has in relation also increased to the point that if we continue with our current expenditure pace of October ’89 and November 89, we will soon return to our previous problem of constant threat of bank overdraft! We are a long way off self-sufficiency and still rely heavily on our overseas funders for assistance in the areas of legal fees and our education programme. This report will focus on both the positive developments in T&G finances over these past eighteen months, as well as the problem areas which we need to seriously tackle from here!
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-07
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-07
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103428 , vital:32245
- Description: In reviewing the developments in T&G finances over the past eighteen months, we can safely say that T&G finances have certainly stabilized over the period. However, in case we get too excited at this news, a note of caution. While our income from subscriptions has steadily improved, due mainly to the Congress ’88 increase in rate (from R3 to R4); our expenditure has in relation also increased to the point that if we continue with our current expenditure pace of October ’89 and November 89, we will soon return to our previous problem of constant threat of bank overdraft! We are a long way off self-sufficiency and still rely heavily on our overseas funders for assistance in the areas of legal fees and our education programme. This report will focus on both the positive developments in T&G finances over these past eighteen months, as well as the problem areas which we need to seriously tackle from here!
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-07
Transport and General Workers Union: Congress 1-3 December 1989, Pietermaritzburg: Progress report
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-12
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102999 , vital:32199
- Description: The last eighteen months have seen tremendous growth in Transport and General Workers Union. Numerically the union has grown from 26 000 signed up members to over 40 000 in the period under review. But it is not only in numbers that TGWU has grown. The period has been one in which new structures of the union have been built, and where new organisational direction has been sought in all sectors. The period has been one during which for the first time in four years, the union has not had to divert its attention to putting into effect complex mergers and transfers of membership. It has also of course been a period charged by major national political developments - from the passing of the Labour Relations Amendment Act in September 1988, to the release of seven ANC leaders from Robben Island in October of this year.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-12
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-12
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102999 , vital:32199
- Description: The last eighteen months have seen tremendous growth in Transport and General Workers Union. Numerically the union has grown from 26 000 signed up members to over 40 000 in the period under review. But it is not only in numbers that TGWU has grown. The period has been one in which new structures of the union have been built, and where new organisational direction has been sought in all sectors. The period has been one during which for the first time in four years, the union has not had to divert its attention to putting into effect complex mergers and transfers of membership. It has also of course been a period charged by major national political developments - from the passing of the Labour Relations Amendment Act in September 1988, to the release of seven ANC leaders from Robben Island in October of this year.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-12
Transport and General Workers Union: bi-annual congress 24-26 May 1991, Johannesburg: progress report Dec 1989-May 1991
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1991-05-24/26
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103294 , vital:32230
- Description: We have entered the period of the 90's in our poitical, economic and social lives. We are facing the challenge of transfer of power into the hands of the people. The working class is part of the challenge that everyone will have to meet which is striving for a National Democratic Revolution. The working class must also shape political content by advancing its own class perspective through waging class struggle. TGWU is part of the broader liberation forces in South Africa. The political and economic crisis which we face challenges us to develop strategies with more determination and commitment than ever. In order to achieve what we stand for, it becomes an urgent necessity to look at ourselves openly and honestly and assess what we have done and achieved in the last sixteen months.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991-05-24/26
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1991-05-24/26
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103294 , vital:32230
- Description: We have entered the period of the 90's in our poitical, economic and social lives. We are facing the challenge of transfer of power into the hands of the people. The working class is part of the challenge that everyone will have to meet which is striving for a National Democratic Revolution. The working class must also shape political content by advancing its own class perspective through waging class struggle. TGWU is part of the broader liberation forces in South Africa. The political and economic crisis which we face challenges us to develop strategies with more determination and commitment than ever. In order to achieve what we stand for, it becomes an urgent necessity to look at ourselves openly and honestly and assess what we have done and achieved in the last sixteen months.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991-05-24/26
Transport and General Workers Union: Bi-Annual Congress 1991: Financial Progress Report from Dec 1989-May 1991
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1991-05
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103038 , vital:32203
- Description: In reviewing the 1990 financial year for TGWU (1 Jan 1990 - 31 Dec 1990) it is clear that the union was in an unstable financial position. The income from subscriptions was forever fluctuating. In most cases expenditure for this period exceeded the income from subscriptions. Our bank balance was, from time to time, in an overdraft situation. The union couldn’t be self-sufficient—and as a result, relied on foreign funding. This report will deal with both the income and expenditure for the said financial period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991-05
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1991-05
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103038 , vital:32203
- Description: In reviewing the 1990 financial year for TGWU (1 Jan 1990 - 31 Dec 1990) it is clear that the union was in an unstable financial position. The income from subscriptions was forever fluctuating. In most cases expenditure for this period exceeded the income from subscriptions. Our bank balance was, from time to time, in an overdraft situation. The union couldn’t be self-sufficient—and as a result, relied on foreign funding. This report will deal with both the income and expenditure for the said financial period.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991-05
Transport and General Workers Union: Aid Service Newsletter November, 1989
- Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-11
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102929 , vital:32190
- Description: A weekend Advice Office Labour Training Course was held at the Cape Town Trade Union Library at the end of September. It was a shortened version of the annual training course for advice office workers held in March and April, and was organised for the benefit of new recruits to the Aid Service. The course was attended by a number of T&GWU Aid Service people from the Athlone and Stellenbosch offices, community advice office workers, and trade union office staff. In all about 25 people attended on both days. The course was designed to give basic information on trade unions and industrial relations, as well as interviewing skills and practical guides to unemployment insurance, worker's compensation and pensions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-11
- Authors: Transport and General Workers' Union (South Africa)
- Date: 1989-11
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: eng
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/102929 , vital:32190
- Description: A weekend Advice Office Labour Training Course was held at the Cape Town Trade Union Library at the end of September. It was a shortened version of the annual training course for advice office workers held in March and April, and was organised for the benefit of new recruits to the Aid Service. The course was attended by a number of T&GWU Aid Service people from the Athlone and Stellenbosch offices, community advice office workers, and trade union office staff. In all about 25 people attended on both days. The course was designed to give basic information on trade unions and industrial relations, as well as interviewing skills and practical guides to unemployment insurance, worker's compensation and pensions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989-11
Trade unions in Africa
- African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN)
- Authors: African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN)
- Date: 2003-12
- Subjects: Labour unions -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111142 , vital:33390
- Description: In March 2001, a group of African trade union-based researchers met in Johannesburg, South Africa, to form the African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN). The network initially covered Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia but has since grown and now includes Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Angola. One of the network's objectives is to address policy issues that affect African workers and their trade unions by providing relevant research and education materials. The first research project undertaken by the network covered the labour movement in the countries of the founding members. The researchers looked at the legal, economic and political environment in which trade unions operate and identified some of the key challenges that unions face today. This booklet is based on the country case studies that were undertaken by Austin Muneku (Zambia), Anthony yaw Baah (Ghana), Godfrey Kanyenze and Blessing Chiripanhura (Zimbabwe), Salihu Lukman (Nigeria), Herbert Jauch and Barney Karuuombe (Namibia) as well as Ravi Naidoo, Claire Horton, Thobile Yanta, Samuel Denga, Lebo Modise and Wolfe Braude (South Africa). This booklet was compiled by Herbert Jauch and Kishi-Silas Shakumu with assistance from Anthony yaw Baah. We wish to thank the Ford Foundation, the Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV), the Finnish Trade Union Solidarity Centre (SASK), and the Belgian Fund for Development Co-operation (FOS) for their support (direct and indirect) of the network's activities, which made the publication of this booklet possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003-12
- Authors: African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN)
- Date: 2003-12
- Subjects: Labour unions -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111142 , vital:33390
- Description: In March 2001, a group of African trade union-based researchers met in Johannesburg, South Africa, to form the African Labour Researchers Network (ALRN). The network initially covered Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia but has since grown and now includes Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Angola. One of the network's objectives is to address policy issues that affect African workers and their trade unions by providing relevant research and education materials. The first research project undertaken by the network covered the labour movement in the countries of the founding members. The researchers looked at the legal, economic and political environment in which trade unions operate and identified some of the key challenges that unions face today. This booklet is based on the country case studies that were undertaken by Austin Muneku (Zambia), Anthony yaw Baah (Ghana), Godfrey Kanyenze and Blessing Chiripanhura (Zimbabwe), Salihu Lukman (Nigeria), Herbert Jauch and Barney Karuuombe (Namibia) as well as Ravi Naidoo, Claire Horton, Thobile Yanta, Samuel Denga, Lebo Modise and Wolfe Braude (South Africa). This booklet was compiled by Herbert Jauch and Kishi-Silas Shakumu with assistance from Anthony yaw Baah. We wish to thank the Ford Foundation, the Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV), the Finnish Trade Union Solidarity Centre (SASK), and the Belgian Fund for Development Co-operation (FOS) for their support (direct and indirect) of the network's activities, which made the publication of this booklet possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003-12
Three important principles for trade unionism: unity, independence and democratic methods
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Quality of work life
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111235 , vital:33418
- Description: The first principle of trade unionism is unity: the unity of workers, or put another way, solidarity, “one for all, all for one. With solid unity, many things can be achieved by the workers. Without unity, nothing of significance can be achieved by an individual worker. What this means in practice is: the organizational objective of a union is 100 percent membership.The strength and influence of a trade union in its relationship to employers depend on the extent the employees of the company concerned are unionized. The higher the proportion of unionized workers to non-unionized workers, the greater the strength. Apart from numbers, strength also come from organizing the key, skilled workers in the enterprise. Depending on what the basis of organization of the union is—whether it be craft occupation, a specific industry, an undertaking, a common employer or general labor —all workers should be united into one union, irrespective of race, religion, creed, sex, skill, etc. All are equal in the eyes of the organization. Trade unions should also operate nationally because local or regional unions cannot develop sufficient bargaining power or competence over a whole range of issues to adequately safeguard the interest of workers. Trade unions should not be considered as closed societies. They should not be an instrument of privileged or elite workers, jealously guarding member’s privileges against nonmember workers who receive lower wages and are unorganized. They should be open to all workers, otherwise, these same underprivileged workers could be used as scabs against organized workers in the event of a serious conflict. If an organization is to serve the needs of its members, it must be controlled by the members themselves, for who but they themselves can best define and guard their own interests? If a union intends to truly achieve the principles and objectives upon which it was founded, it should not allow itself to be dominated or controlled by external interests, be it government, employers, political parties, religious, communal or fraternal organizations, or individual persons. A government may or may not be well disposed to trade unions, but in general, it is very responsive to the interests of the powerful groups in society, usually the employers. Moreover, if a government can control the operation and policies of a trade union, it becomes an instrument of the government rather than of the workers for whom it was originally set up. There are cases where a so-called “union” is organized by the employer for the employees. This kind of union is a “yellow union” (company dominated union). It is dominated by the management or its stooges. It is usually a local union (or a one-shop union), which means that only employees of that undertaking are allowed to join it. Needless to say, this kind of union is totally useless because its basic purpose is not to promote the workers’ interest but to prevent them from setting up a genuine one. When management starts to pressure employees to join a local union, the signals are clear: it is a yellow union. Equally, the union should resist any attempt by any political party to control and dominate it. The interests of the political party are not necessarily the same as those of the union. Even if there are some areas of shared interests, the ultimate aim of a trade union is to serve its members. This aim may be distorted under the domination of a political party whose basic aim is to obtain support from all sectors to secure power.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Labour unions -- South Africa , Quality of work life
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111235 , vital:33418
- Description: The first principle of trade unionism is unity: the unity of workers, or put another way, solidarity, “one for all, all for one. With solid unity, many things can be achieved by the workers. Without unity, nothing of significance can be achieved by an individual worker. What this means in practice is: the organizational objective of a union is 100 percent membership.The strength and influence of a trade union in its relationship to employers depend on the extent the employees of the company concerned are unionized. The higher the proportion of unionized workers to non-unionized workers, the greater the strength. Apart from numbers, strength also come from organizing the key, skilled workers in the enterprise. Depending on what the basis of organization of the union is—whether it be craft occupation, a specific industry, an undertaking, a common employer or general labor —all workers should be united into one union, irrespective of race, religion, creed, sex, skill, etc. All are equal in the eyes of the organization. Trade unions should also operate nationally because local or regional unions cannot develop sufficient bargaining power or competence over a whole range of issues to adequately safeguard the interest of workers. Trade unions should not be considered as closed societies. They should not be an instrument of privileged or elite workers, jealously guarding member’s privileges against nonmember workers who receive lower wages and are unorganized. They should be open to all workers, otherwise, these same underprivileged workers could be used as scabs against organized workers in the event of a serious conflict. If an organization is to serve the needs of its members, it must be controlled by the members themselves, for who but they themselves can best define and guard their own interests? If a union intends to truly achieve the principles and objectives upon which it was founded, it should not allow itself to be dominated or controlled by external interests, be it government, employers, political parties, religious, communal or fraternal organizations, or individual persons. A government may or may not be well disposed to trade unions, but in general, it is very responsive to the interests of the powerful groups in society, usually the employers. Moreover, if a government can control the operation and policies of a trade union, it becomes an instrument of the government rather than of the workers for whom it was originally set up. There are cases where a so-called “union” is organized by the employer for the employees. This kind of union is a “yellow union” (company dominated union). It is dominated by the management or its stooges. It is usually a local union (or a one-shop union), which means that only employees of that undertaking are allowed to join it. Needless to say, this kind of union is totally useless because its basic purpose is not to promote the workers’ interest but to prevent them from setting up a genuine one. When management starts to pressure employees to join a local union, the signals are clear: it is a yellow union. Equally, the union should resist any attempt by any political party to control and dominate it. The interests of the political party are not necessarily the same as those of the union. Even if there are some areas of shared interests, the ultimate aim of a trade union is to serve its members. This aim may be distorted under the domination of a political party whose basic aim is to obtain support from all sectors to secure power.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
The war against privatisation
- South African Municipal Workers Union_Workers News
- Authors: South African Municipal Workers Union_Workers News
- Date: 1997-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105759 , vital:32566
- Description: Welcome to SAMWU’s first magazine. This is the magazine for all comrades so do not take it home and hide it under your pillow - carry it around and share it with other comrades and your family and community. There are many challenges facing SAMWU members and officials at the present time. Our jobs are at risk from privatisation. Our communities are at risk because big business wants to take away the little services we have now. It is our job to politicise communities to take our antiprivatisation campaign forward. Comrades, we must guard against corruption. Multinational companies are prepared to pay a lot of money to get what they want. We are also having a problem with our comrades in SANCO who are bidding for a 30 year contract for Nelspruit’s water and waste services.We don’t want to end up like Britain where people are buying water in bottles from shops because the water from the taps is undrinkable. We don’t want to be forced to buy bottled water that is more expensive than beer , here put any information that you think is important but there is no field for it, if there isnt remove the field
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997-06
- Authors: South African Municipal Workers Union_Workers News
- Date: 1997-06
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/105759 , vital:32566
- Description: Welcome to SAMWU’s first magazine. This is the magazine for all comrades so do not take it home and hide it under your pillow - carry it around and share it with other comrades and your family and community. There are many challenges facing SAMWU members and officials at the present time. Our jobs are at risk from privatisation. Our communities are at risk because big business wants to take away the little services we have now. It is our job to politicise communities to take our antiprivatisation campaign forward. Comrades, we must guard against corruption. Multinational companies are prepared to pay a lot of money to get what they want. We are also having a problem with our comrades in SANCO who are bidding for a 30 year contract for Nelspruit’s water and waste services.We don’t want to end up like Britain where people are buying water in bottles from shops because the water from the taps is undrinkable. We don’t want to be forced to buy bottled water that is more expensive than beer , here put any information that you think is important but there is no field for it, if there isnt remove the field
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997-06
The role of the educator
- National Union of MetalWorkers of South Africa
- Authors: National Union of MetalWorkers of South Africa
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Capitalism and education , Black people -- Education -- South Africa , Teachers, Black -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110914 , vital:33350
- Description: In South Africa, like all other capitalist societies, workers are forced to work for wages to buy the things they need to survive. The land, factories, mines, etc are privately owned by the capitalists. Because the capitalists own the land, factories and mines they control the wealth that is produced. With this wealth, as well as with the ownership of several newspapers and investment in radio and television stations, the capitalists can try and influence how people think. The capitalists also use the political rights and the wealth they have to influence how the government behaves. In South Africa, black workers have no political rights, because of apartheid. So they cannot influence the government in the same way as the capitalists. Workers standing on their own are also weak against their employers because the employers do not need any one particular worker. But the employers cannot do without all their workers. Machines without workers are useless. So if all workers can organise themselves to act together, to act collectively as it is called, then the balance of power changes. Capitalism needs the labour of workers to survive. So organised workers can be the most powerful weapon against capitalism. But the capitalists in South Africa are very powerful. They have a good friend in the apartheid state. Workers need to be well organised to challenge the power of the capitalists. But to build this strength, we need unity. We also need discipline and clear direction. The first step in making a union strong is for the union to have a very large membership. But the members cannot be sleeping members. They must understand the broader aims and objectives of the union and how the union fits into the wider struggle in South Africa. They must also have the skills and knowledge to be able to participate actively in all the activities of the union. Democratic practices increase the strength of workers' organisations and make them more effective. Democratic organisations are also necessary for building democratic societies because they make it possible for the masses of the people to participate in decisions about their lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
- Authors: National Union of MetalWorkers of South Africa
- Date: 19--?
- Subjects: Capitalism and education , Black people -- Education -- South Africa , Teachers, Black -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/110914 , vital:33350
- Description: In South Africa, like all other capitalist societies, workers are forced to work for wages to buy the things they need to survive. The land, factories, mines, etc are privately owned by the capitalists. Because the capitalists own the land, factories and mines they control the wealth that is produced. With this wealth, as well as with the ownership of several newspapers and investment in radio and television stations, the capitalists can try and influence how people think. The capitalists also use the political rights and the wealth they have to influence how the government behaves. In South Africa, black workers have no political rights, because of apartheid. So they cannot influence the government in the same way as the capitalists. Workers standing on their own are also weak against their employers because the employers do not need any one particular worker. But the employers cannot do without all their workers. Machines without workers are useless. So if all workers can organise themselves to act together, to act collectively as it is called, then the balance of power changes. Capitalism needs the labour of workers to survive. So organised workers can be the most powerful weapon against capitalism. But the capitalists in South Africa are very powerful. They have a good friend in the apartheid state. Workers need to be well organised to challenge the power of the capitalists. But to build this strength, we need unity. We also need discipline and clear direction. The first step in making a union strong is for the union to have a very large membership. But the members cannot be sleeping members. They must understand the broader aims and objectives of the union and how the union fits into the wider struggle in South Africa. They must also have the skills and knowledge to be able to participate actively in all the activities of the union. Democratic practices increase the strength of workers' organisations and make them more effective. Democratic organisations are also necessary for building democratic societies because they make it possible for the masses of the people to participate in decisions about their lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 19--?
The right to strike: 10th anniversary of Armourplate strike, 6th September 1976
- Chemical Workers Industrial Union
- Authors: Chemical Workers Industrial Union
- Date: 1976-09-06
- Subjects: Right to strike , Strikes and lockouts
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111269 , vital:33426
- Description: In South Africa and throughout the world the working class is struggling to win the full right to strike. This booklet is published to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a landmark in this struggle under Apartheid. Ten years ago, on 6th September 1976, members of the Glass and Allied Workers Union at Armourplate went out on strike. The first legal strike by black workers. Although their brave struggle was not successful then, many lessons were learnt that have allowed victories to follow. Such lessons were put into practice in the Dunlop strike and the sit-ins covered in this booklet. The legal position of strikes is confusing and part of this booklet tries to clear this up. The present legal rights can be compared with our demands in the COSATU resolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1976-09-06
- Authors: Chemical Workers Industrial Union
- Date: 1976-09-06
- Subjects: Right to strike , Strikes and lockouts
- Language: English
- Type: text , pamphlet
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111269 , vital:33426
- Description: In South Africa and throughout the world the working class is struggling to win the full right to strike. This booklet is published to commemorate the 10th anniversary of a landmark in this struggle under Apartheid. Ten years ago, on 6th September 1976, members of the Glass and Allied Workers Union at Armourplate went out on strike. The first legal strike by black workers. Although their brave struggle was not successful then, many lessons were learnt that have allowed victories to follow. Such lessons were put into practice in the Dunlop strike and the sit-ins covered in this booklet. The legal position of strikes is confusing and part of this booklet tries to clear this up. The present legal rights can be compared with our demands in the COSATU resolution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1976-09-06