the Shopsteward

Volume 30.1 COSATU 35th Anniversary Special Digital Edition

The official publication of the Congress of South African Trade Unions

COSATU ANNIVERSARY

35 Years of Militant Working Class Struggle! 1 Editorial COSATU 35th Anniversary

Bheki Ntshalintshali - Editor in Chief

he Congress of South through political processes, as and unprepared and workers garages, hotels, transport, and African Trade Unions well as mass mobilisation. As in South Africa have been the agricultural sectors have not is celebrating 35 years we reflect on the three decades most heavily impacted. been complying with the UI Act. of non-stop struggle and half of our existence, This reflects the poverty The UI Act requires all againstt exploitation in pursuit of we need to recognise our wages workers are paid, high employers to register their social emancipation of both the achievements, without masking levels of inequality, lack of access employees for the UIF and to workers and the working-class our setbacks. to decent healthcare, resulting pay their monthly employer and This is a momentous occasion In this copy of the levels of low immunities due employee contributions. This is for the federation because Shopsteward Magazine, we to the prevalence of infectious worse for domestic workers who it allows us to reflect on our take a look at some of those diseases e.g. tuberculosis, often have multiple employers. past achievements, reflect on achievements and also reflect diabetes, HIV/AIDS etc, and The challenge going forward our challenges and reaffirm on the plan ahead including extreme overcrowding in most is to address the issue of job our commitments to waging the Collective Bargaining townships. Over the past nine losses, vulnerable workers a relentless struggle against Campaign and Organising months we have all been and the so called new normal. exploitation. Conference held late last year. dealing with Covid-19 , a health The unilateral closure of the UIF crisis unlike any previous health TERS Fund as a huge mistake The voice of organised All of this is happening crisis. This has been worrying and we need to see it corrected workers has consistently been in the midst of a health and for South Africa given our pre- soon, especially now with the felt since the federation was economic crisis as a result of existing health challenges, the second wave of infections born 35 years ago on a wide the COVID-19 pandemic that poor state of public healthcare and the Alert level 3 lockdown range of policy, legislative has led to millions of job losses. institutions and unaffordability of having been introduced. and political issues. Workers We believe that this crisis period private healthcare. have achieved concrete we are living in poses serious The COVID-19 inspired victories, partial gains and dangers for the workers and COSATU welcomed the economic crisis has exposed sometimes they have had to the working class. At this critical lockdown and the speed with and shown the limits of defend progressive measures period, the role of the labour which government moved to capitalism. This is also a crisis introduced by government. movement is to study, analyse implement it. It was critical to of neoliberal policies. This whole While there have also been the emerging developments lowering the surge in infections situation creates a serious risk some setbacks, interventions and then strategise for a and deaths and to avoid for the rights of workers. by the organisation have coherent and efficient response overwhelming our healthcare In response to this crisis, disrupted the progress that has to these developments. institutions before they were big capital is manoeuvring to been made by anti-worker and The current period is ready. This was not an easy strengthen the exploitative anti-poor forces. characterised by economic choice for workers as many system of capitalism, to acquire inequality, stagnant wages, companies in the private new impetus and use the All of this has happened in a massive unemployment, sector implement the no crisis to gain more profits for rapidly changing, and constantly deepening poverty, and the work, no pay principle. Many themselves and create more evolving environment and the accumulation of enormous companies depend upon daily wealth concentration as a federation has had to learn wealth by the few elites. earnings to pay workers and result. All of this is done at the to adapt to different terrains No one in South Africa, or the remain viable. It has become expense of workers through the to advance its positions. world, could fully appreciated the clear during this crisis that intensification of exploitation. These include, advocacy, challenges we would face last many employers especially We have already seen a rise negotiation, engagement year. We were caught unaware in the hospitality, restaurants, in unemployment, a push

2 COSATU 35th Anniversary Editorial

for the privatisation of public that front with our recruitment technologies work for the people government since 1996. enterprises and a serious attack campaign bringing over 120 and are not used to destroy the Our quest for a developmental on collective bargaining and 000 members to the federation people and their livelihoods. state is continuous. The state labour rights. last year. The COVID-19 Technologies should not be is a powerful force with a lot of Much has been said about outbreak has shown that many imposed recklessly in a manner influence. It holds monopoly to the 4th industrial revolution, in workers are not protected and that destroys livelihoods, jobs, tax, print money and to engage particular the risks that it poses are open to joining unions. and communities. We need a in borrowing on behalf of the to the jobs and livelihoods of jobs plan that will act as a guide country. It influences who has blue- and white-collar workers Fourty hour week will and a regulatory framework. access to national productive as well as the developmental limit the working hours to resources and also determines opportunities it offers society. the maximum of 40 hours. We are grappling with how they are deployed and Our challenges as unions is to This is part of our bigger drive the lack of resources used. It is within this context that fight to make sure workers’ jobs to usher in decent work for all and government’s lack of the role of the state should be are protected, to make sure that workers in the country.Fight preparedness when it comes understood and framed. government and industry plan against retrenchments, this to procuring the necessary . for a just transition, to work for involves campaigning for the Our underperforming economy The collapse of service workers’ lives to improve. If we amendment of LRA Section has forced the government to delivery, as symbolised by do not do that, then millions of 189 to make retrenchments borrow more money worsening public protests, can only be workers will be thrown into the negotiable issues because our already bad public debt. traced back from the decision unemployment line. employers currently do not South Africa’s debt levels will to push for the reduction of have an obligation to consider exceed 100% of gross domestic the headcount of personnel Our priority as we celebrate viable options put forward by product by 2024-25 and rise in the public service and these 35years is to unite the the unions as this section only to almost 114% by 2028-29, the commercialisation of working class around aims gives an obligation to consult. according to National Treasury. the State-Owned Entities in which reflect the present-day their mode of governance. needs. This unity should be National Minimum Wage The upcoming Budget This right-wing push for SOEs reflected in organised struggles - we need to ensure that the Speech and will hopefully be to operate along the lines of the based on its class interests, CCMA and the Department of used to lay the foundation private sector is the source of starting in workplaces. The last Labour are empowered to deal of an economy and the kind the inefficiencies and corruption congress resolved to identify the decisively with issues of non- of a development state that that we have seen. following campaigns as priority compliance by employers on we envision and need post- campaigns around which we implementation of the national Covid-19. One of the most This country needs a will be mobilising the workers minimum wage. fundamental features of our capable developmental state as part of our recruitment and Living Wage Campaign national situation has been the to implement a uniquely organising of workers into the - this campaign should inability of our policymakers to South African developmental Federation. be intensifying because find a solution to the systemic economic model. We fully We remain optimistic that more workers are getting and deep existential crisis of the support our members in the these campaigns and the impoverished due to starvation South African capitalist system. public service who are fighting discussions that will ensue wages. The rentier monopoly back against the undermining going forward will further Occupational Health and finance-capital that oversees of collective bargaining and strengthen our common Safety - we need to make sure the country’s monetary policy government’s decision to efforts to deal with the current that there are OHS committees at a distance as well as the renege on the 2018 Collective economic crisis. Some of these in workplaces and that they are Neoliberal deep-state within agreement. The workers priority campaigns this year functional and beneficial and government continues to resist at SABC and elsewhere 2021 are the following: that we work together with the a change of monetary policy who are engaged in a titanic Recruitment and retention Department of Employment as evidenced by the recent struggle to save jobs should be campaign-The mandate of the and Labour to take forward decision of the Monetary supported by all of us. Unity is congress was to organise the campaigns for safety in the Policy Committee to leave paramount at this critical unorganised increase trade workplace. the interests rate unchanged. moment and narrow union membership and improve Fourth Industrial Revolution The current socio-economic sectarianism should the service that workers get. - encompasses all of us situation reflects the class be exorcised from our We are making progress on working to ensure that the new character of the ANC ranks.

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Editor's note

A 'New Normal' is upon us - Tackling Post COVID-19 Catastrophe!

Editor: Norman Mampane

ince the outbreak lockdown was about devastating environmental during the Covid-19 of COVID-19 corruption related to catastrophe.' According to pandemic. This requires across the globe, personal protective the International Labour more investment flows, many workers equipment, non-payment Organization, 'Global economic diversification wereS hugely affected and of danger allowance labour income is estimated and greater policy space suffered loss of wages, to the frontline and to have declined by 10.7 in the rules of the World working time, and the essential workers, and the per cent, or US$ 3.5 trillion, Trade Organization [WTO] extreme their jobs! undeserving individuals in the first three quarters of for vulnerable economies benefiting from COVID-19 2020, compared with the commencing the hard work The pandemic has Unemployment Insurance same period in 2019. of economic recovery.' changed our world Fund Benefits, with many in ways we could poor workers forced into This figure excludes The G20 Ministers hardly have imagined. poverty and destitution. income support provided 'recognised the need to Working remotely is a new through government increase the sustainability challenge, with no labour The so-called 'new risk measures. One reason for and the resilience of legislation available in most mitigation' introduced the estimated increases national, regional, and companies to regulate by the Employment and in working-hour losses is global supply chains and such an 'arrangement’, Labour is still to stand the that workers in developing to expand production should not put workers in a test of time. and emerging economies, capacity and trade, disadvantaged position! especially those in informal notably in the areas of On International issues, employment, have been pharmaceutical, medical In this edition, we cover many global unions much more affected than and other health-related the period since the have expressed how by past crises...' products. The Ministers declaration of Covid-19 various governments and further recognised the as a 'pandemic' by the employers are undermining The G20 Trade importance of continuing to World Health Organization labour rights during the Minister's virtual meeting foster women's economic [WHO] and how did labour coronavirus outbreak. Many in September 2020 agreed empowerment with a respond. global federations argue that 'Africa needs to deepen view to achieving global that 'COVID-19 corner- its levels of industrialization recovery.' The most depressing cutting measures will lead and address its 'strategic scandal during Coronavirus to more deaths and a vulnerabilities' exposed It is not yet Uhuru!

4 KINGJAMES 51193

Now is the time to celebrate those who are gone, but not forgotten. To immortalise men like Silumko, a teacher who shaped the stories of the past for the children of the future. That he also sacrifi ced his life to save a young child from the sea is part of his legacy. For the many people who can’t gather to pay their fi nal respects, we’ve created The Memory Collection. To read Silumko’s story or share your memories of a loved one who has passed, visit thememorycollection.co.za.

Sanlam is a Licensed Financial Services Provider. 5

51193_Key Accounts 2020_The Shopsteward_PRINT_420x297.indd 1 2020/08/11 14:25 COSATU 35th Anniversary

COSATU Profile

Elijah Barayi As we reflect on the last 35 years of struggle, we salute the founding generation of this giant federation!

in 1949. He left Fort Ngalo; they fought back and underpayment. Hare University and defeated them. In 1981, he met then after struggling to NUM General Secretary pay for his studies He linked up with Rev Cyril Ramaphosa and and went on to Calata, a former ANC became one of the first work as a clerk in secretary general, who miners to join the NUM. the Department of was his mentor. He joined He was elected a NUM Native Affairs the Defiance Campaign shaft steward and soon in Cradock. and when the ANC was after was elected vice H e banned in 1960, he was president of the union. joined arrested under state of the emergency provisions. During the unity talks leading to the formation of He spent five months COSATU, Barayi played an in jail and after his important part in bringing release he left the NUM, then affiliated to Eastern Cape because CUSA, into the process. of police harassment. In 1985, Comrade Barayi He unsuccessfully tried to became the first president join Umkhonto weSizwe. of COSATU until 1991. His contact was arrested. From the outset he He went on to work as fearlessly provided lijah Barayi was ANC Youth League in a clerk at a gold mine in defiant leadership defiant born in 1930 1948 at the time when he Brakpan. In 1973, he got leadership that stood in the Eastern was about to complete his a job at Blyvooruitzicht against the vile system of Cape town JC(Grade 10). gold mine in Carltonville. apartheid. He took on the of Cradock and was the He was elected to chair the then apartheid President youngeste of 10 children. The impetus for him mine’s liaison committee. Pik Botha and his demand His father was a municipal joining the ANC Youth for the abolishment of the worker, and his mother, League was preceded He was banned from pass laws was heeded by a domestic worker. with a racist incident in running for re election the apartheid regime. He completed his town when some racist because he had tried to He died on the 22 education at the young white boys attacked raise political issues such January 1994, but his Healdtown Institution him and Comrade Zenzele as racial discrimination memory lives on.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Worker Issues

13 14 15 COSATU 35th Anniversary

Worker Issues

the FORMATION of COSATU

OSATU was participation in the struggle empower ordinary workers. Congress resolved to merge launched in for peace and democracy We try to develop the skills unions into cartels or broad December 1985 Principles· To organise the and abilities of those most sectors such as public sector after four years of unorganised · disadvantaged by apartheid. and manufacturing (see list unityC talks between unions We want workers to be of unions). We also remain opposed to apartheid and From its inception, the equipped to determine their committed to unity with all committed to a non-racial, federation is based on the own future in the country unions and federations that non-sexist and democratic following core principles:· and in the economy. In a are committed to, among South Africa. At our launch country where women have others, these principles. we represented less than Non-racialism – COSATU been highly oppressed, At the same time, for as half a million workers rejects apartheid and racism we are determined to long as there is no single organised in 33 unions. in all its forms. We believe strive for gender equality federation, we have no We currently have more than that all workers, regardless and women leadership. choice but to recruit even two million workers, of whom of race, should organise those workers who belong to at least 1.8 million are paid and unite. Now more than Paid-up membership – other unions and federations. up. Even by international ever before we need to COSATU and its affiliated standards we have been bury the apartheid legacy. unions strive for self International worker among the fastest growing sufficiency. This means that solidarity – International trade union movements in Worker control – while we receive money for solidarity is the lifeblood of the world. Today when most COSATU believes that specific projects from other trade unionism – particularly trade unions are facing a workers must control the trade unions, we remain able in the era of multinational decline in membership, we structures and committees of to take our decisions without companies.COSATU have continued to grow. the federation. This approach interference from funders. maintains links with a range aims to keep the organisation While it has not been easy, of national and international Our main broad vibrant and dynamic, and we remain committed centres. We are committed strategic objectives to maintain close links with to its full realisation. to building links with unions have always been: the shop floor. We have in the newly industrialised To improve material programmes to develop One industry, one union – countries. New international conditions of our members worker leadership, especially one country, one federation conditions open possibilities and of the working people women, within the trade – In order to unite workers for a unified union movement. as a whole.· unions and the country as a across sectors, we have whole. Through training we grouped our unions into Political Policy COSATU To ensure worker have been able to build and industries. Our 6th National believes in a democratic

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Worker Issues

society free of racism, sexism transformation programme employers, but based on the the International Workers and the exploitation of the for the Alliance, based on struggles of our members. of the World marched working class. We believe the RDP. These independent This campaign remains in support of an eight- in a society where workers organisations also have relevant as we attempt to hour day. This started an have full control over their separate but complementary eliminate the wage gap international tradition of lives. We are determined to programmes. COSATU and between senior management observing a workers’ holiday work with other democratic the SACP are also committed and workers, men and that continues to this day. forces to do away with all to the struggle for socialism. women, and between skilled By 1986, the tradition had forms of oppression and Socio-economic Policy and unskilled workers – the been observed for 100 years. exploitation. Our socio-economic policy majority of whom are black While COSATU was barely is based on the need or women. six months old, May Day From our inception, we to eliminate economic celebrations in South Africa have always believed in inequities and poverty in LRA – In September 1987, that year were the biggest the need for broad fronts society and in the workplace. PW Botha’s government, at ever, with huge rallies all over to achieve our political and the request of employers, the country. South African socio-economic struggles. Taking into account proposed amendments to workers had embraced the Together with the UDF and its COSATU’s rejection of the then Labour Relations day as their own. The fact affiliates we were involved in the government’s macro- Act (LRA). The amendments that it is today part of our struggles that brought about economic framework, the sought to emasculate the public holidays, is due to the current dispensation. Alliance agreed that we growing union movement COSATU members. When political organisations need a developmental, and undermine the gains were unbanned, the ANC, macro-economic policy, made by workers since the SACP and COSATU aligned to the needs of the 1970s. In 1988, millions VAT – COSATU’s anti-VAT agreed to work together as country. Such a policy must of workers stayed away campaign in 1991 had far- a Revolutionary Alliance evolve in line with these from work to press for the reaching effects. Apart from (Tripartite Alliance, the needs, while recognising reversal of the changes winning certain short-term Alliance). The Alliance is the real constraints we face. despite the threat of demands, it established centered around short, No macro-economic policy dismissals by employers. labour’s right to have a say medium to long terms is cast in stone and the In the end we had the last on macro- economic issues. goals of the National Alliance needs to continue laugh when the regime The campaign was a good Democratic Revolution discussions on areas where agreed to the proposed example of the power and – the establishment of a there is disagreement. changes in 1990. Later in success of alliances on single democratic and non-racial At the same time we should both the constitution and the issues. Groups as diverse South Africa, economic ensure that policies enhance LRA we secured more rights as welfare organisations, transformation and continued job security and job creation for workers. The constitution doctors’ associations and process of political and rather than destroy jobs. and the LRA which was small business organisations economic democratization. piloted by the ANC and were galvanised into Campaigns opposed by the NP, DP, action by COSATU. The 6th National Congress Some of the major IFP and the FF has been Constitution – COSATU resolved that the Alliance campaigns of COSATU over heralded as one of the most has played a major role in remains the only vehicle the past decade include the progressive in the world. South Africa’s transition to capable of bringing about following: The struggle for the new democracy. We were in the fundamental transformation LRA saw President Mandela trenches as members of in South Africa. Living wage campaign – join thousands of workers the ANC, SACP and civics Despite difficulties and During 1987, Cosatu in Johannesburg to press to bring about the current challenges of the transition members were the only home the demands. dispensation. From the including certain differences workers to win wage drawing up of the RDP to over approaches to increases above inflation May Day is ours – the adoption of the new macro- economic policies, rate. This was not On 1 May 1886, American Constitution, we have we are working out a based on the goodwill of workers organised by ensured that the interests of

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Worker Issues

the working class are central while the lock-out is not. maternity leave, child labour While the General Secretary to the broader development etc. These successes were and Deputy General strategy. A major victory was Basic Conditions of again in large part due to Secretary are full time won around the exclusion Employment Act – the systematic campaign officials of the federation, of the lock-out clause in the run by COSATU as well as the worker leaders are Constitution, after a hard This Act is a major victory for the Alliance resolve to bring full time shopstewards. battle led by COSATU. the South African working about real changes in the For an overview of the class particularly the most workplace. first decade of COSATU Despite employers’ attempt vulnerable – women, (1985 – 1995) see the to get the Constitutional domestic and farmworkers. Leadership Based on the 10th anniversary issue Court to reverse it, the court There are numerous areas principle of worker control, of the Shopsteward. ruled that the right to strike is where the lives of workers the COSATU leadership is a fundamental human right will fundamentally improve, drawn from the shopfloor. including working hours,

Tracing the revolutionary footsteps - The Rise of COSATU

OSATU was intensified repression from Union of South Africa 1982. The rebellious nature born on the 1st the minority apartheid Constitution in 1910. of the federation came from of December government run by the its roots, its predecessors 1985, as a result Nationalist Party, since It was for this reason that like SACTU (South African ofC the culmination of 1948 . COSATU immediately Congress of Trade Unions) painstaking and protracted after its launch became a which after its banning had talks, which started in 1981 It was natural for the target for severe repression to operate underground between mostly industrial, trade unions who had just from the state. Many of its and FOSATU (Federation “anti-apartheid unions”. been recently “legalised offices countrywide were of SA Trade Unions). This is important to point ” to conflate workplace targeted, burned down and out this fact, because the struggles and political destroyed, its leaders were The latter, however adopted environment, in which the liberation struggle for arrested and some even a more middle of the road, Federation came about, masses of disenfranchised killed like Vuyisile Mine in which compromise its was very explosive with black majority since the 1964, and Neil Aggett in political stance.

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Worker Issues

members and 33 registered trade unions. affiliated unions. COSATU went on to On 2 May 1979 the Rand become an important Daily Mail reported that the centre of mass based Commission had called for resistance in the 1980s "radical changes to South and was critical in Africa's industrial relations bringing apartheid to its system". Unions were to be knees. allowed to organize non- racially and black workers Recognizing black were to be granted full trade unions industrial participation. Despite heavy-handed Job reservation-which interventions by the had barred black workers COSATU launch - 1st December 1985 state, unions open to from skilled jobs- African members grew would be phased out. around the country. While Workers would become full the state barred them from citizens in the workplace Once black trade unions The Rand Daily Mail charted participating in collective even as their basic political could participate in the formation of several bargaining and employers rights continued to be collective bargaining, they new unions as well as throughout the 1970s did denied. began to have massive attempts to form a national their best not to recognise federation. The Mail also them, workers clung to influence in factories and Today, COSATU continues covered various issues of these unions and gave mines throughout the to be a voice of reason on concern to workers. In 1984 them life. country. various fronts to influence a series of articles showed policy formulation, As union membership the impact of lunch disease They became a stronger implementation of exploded in the 1980s, the on underground Mine and stronger presence in International Labour pages of the Rand Daily workers and particularly the many workplaces. In 1977 Standards and Mail were filled with reports painful and deadly effects the government cracked Fundamental Principles of the growth of the unions, of asbestosis. and appointed the Wiehahn in workplaces, fighting for large scale strikes and Commission to investigate social justice and engaging the rising confidence of By the time COSATU was the advisability of dropping in International Solidarity organized labour. launched in December its requirement that African Actions with global 1985-with half a million workers be excluded from communities.

1 Most of these unions which had sprung up after “1973 Durban strikes” were racially based. 2 After coming to power in 1948, the Nationalist Party passed many repressive laws one of which was 3 Refer to The Wiehahnn commission, 1979

19 Conference COSATU 35th Anniversary

COSATU holds Virtual National Collective Bargaining, Organizing & Campaigns Conference

COSATU National Office Bearers participating in the first virtual National Collective Bargaining, Organizing and Campaigns Conference

ince the first ways we could hardly have trade unions such as the economy, return to March 27 National imagined. AFADWU, Taxi workers work and building a normal Lockdown in South In South Africa, the participating for the first time. that supports the most Africa, COSATU Congress of South African The Conference was vulnerable sectors first. Shas been at the forefront, Trade Unions organized addressed by various Almost 1,6 billion informal with targeted campaigns the first virtual National Researchers, Academia, economy workers have on the ground to mitigate Collective Bargaining, Labour Services suffered due to the impact against the adverse effects Organizing and Campaigns Organizations, International of Coronavirus. of COVID19 pandemic on Labour Organization Conference, held under In South Africa, of the socio-economic front in Specialists and the Alliance the Theme, ‘The Future 14,7 million persons, who society. partners; to reassess of Collective Bargaining: were employed in Q3:2020, the specific risks in each COVID19 has affected In defence of Wages and 7 in 10 [73,2%] were sector, adopt the relevant the world in devastating Jobs’, attended by almost expected to work during the measures to ensure a safe manner and the pandemic eighteen affiliated trade national lockdown by the has changed our world in unions, with newly admitted and healthy reopening of

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companies or organizations Conference is, “As part of the inadequate healthcare financial institutions and they work for. Many were heightening our Living Wage system exacerbated by National treasury to displace found working remotely, Campaign, we will convene the lack of Comprehensive the economic resolutions of especially managers and the Collective Bargaining Social Protection, the the ANC adopted at the 54th professionals. Conference in 2020 where increasing poverty levels National Conference, as It has been acknowledged we will seek practical and the widening inequality well as those contained in than before that workers’ and creative intervention and unemployment, the 2019 National Elections organizations are key strategies to respond to the which has reached Manifesto. actors to protect worker changing global balance unprecedented level of over in the most vulnerable of forces, which include 14 million people without Delegates discussed situations in the world of the changing nature of jobs, with the majority being extensively the state of the work, particularly when work, the 4th Industrial youth. Towards that end, alliance and acknowledged workers have poor access revolution and reflect on the Conference paid special the challenges facing the to labour rights and social progress made since the tribute to the thousands alliance and the immediate justice during the period of 2013 National Collective of frontline workers, tasks ahead ranging the pandemic. Bargaining Conference particularly the healthcare from fighting corruption, and review the victories workers for the outstanding addressing economic COSATU acknowledged and set-backs of our sacrifices and good work recovery that is inclusive that Covid19 had a struggles for a living Wage”. in saving lives to the point and creating decent devastating effect on of paying the ultimate prize work, the reversal of the human lives and livelihoods of losing theirs to protect gains attained since the and the need for workers’ The delegates analysed others. Conference further democratic breakthrough, unity of action in the country the international and noted with dismay the including the departure is critical as part and parcel national balance of forces massive and coordinated from the Freedom Charter, of the vision to build a 'One in the context of the global attack led by capital on the Reconstruction and Union, One Sector' principle economic crisis and the collective bargaining, Development Programme, of the founding Congress of generalised intensification reneging on legal and valid ANC manifestoes..’ the Federation in 1985. of the attack on the agreements. Setting the tone COSATU General working class by capital. This has been particularly Of major concern was for a successful Secretary, Bheki Conference! Ntshalintshali said directed at the trade union the observation that the movement as the most ANC-led government has COSATU President, ‘The Conference built on Zingiswa Losi in the the foundations of the organised component of bought to this idea as the class, made worse evidenced by its stance, Opening Address to 13th National Congress of the National Collective COSATU resolutions and by the conditions of the which not only undermine COVID 19 pandemic in legal and valid collective Bargaining Conference, the momentum from the Organizing and Campaigns last Collective Bargaining an effort to maximise their bargaining agreements, profits at the expense of the but also attempt to go to Conference said, Karl Conference held in 2013, Marx famously words that, which launched the working class and the poor. court to nullify such an The obscene of capital agreement. The delegates “Workers of the world unite, impetus for a National you have nothing to lose but Minimum Wage (NMW) accumulation is generating understood that this attack massive poverty, inequality on public sector workers your chains”. That rallying and the urgency to advance call which has guided towards a Living Wage. and underdevelopment was a launching pad to amongst the majority.” the attack on all workers. billions of workers for over The 13th National Congress 150 years remains as of COSATU held in 2018 Delegates understood that Ntshalintshali said valid today as it was then. expressed clearly what these latest developments ‘The Conference further Workers remain as much the primary mission of this are coordinated efforts by analysed the impact of capital, the Reserve Bank, under threat today, not only

21 Conference COSATU 35th Anniversary

here in South Africa, but large. We were in a deep public servants’ wages until following key tasks: across the world. economic recession before 2024. Government did this • Defend and advance Corona. We are now in without even bothering our collective However, the one danger of entering an to engage workers at the bargaining rights, difference that workers economic depression. 2.2 PSCBC. We are now including compliance face today is that many million jobs were lost last seeing government entities with collective of the victories workers quarter. Unemployment and SOEs retrenching agreements and the have achieved since 1994 has risen from a peak of workers left and right. With right to strike are under severe threat. 40% to 52%. little or no engagement with • Strengthen our Save & Yes, workers must lose workers, said Losi Create Jobs campaign, their chains of exploitation and fight retrenchments and abuse. But equally More jobs are likely Resolutions taken by to the bitter end thousands are losing their to be lost. We remain a Conference! • Fight a relentless battle jobs, wages, pensions, world leader in inequality Affiliated trade unions against employers who medical aid, rights to paid and poverty. The public participating on the first persist to challenge leave, rights not to be services that workers virtual Conference from the constitutionality physically and sexually depend upon are in varying their offices remotely of the gazettal and abused and even their rights stages of collapse. Public extension of collective to collective bargaining. services are understaffed, under resourced and Our immediate short agreements over stretched. SOEs term task: Ratify ILO • Strengthen and expand As the leadership of are heavily indebted and Convention 190 now! centralized bargaining COSATU we are looking many collapsing. Some In the immediate • Ensure that the National forward to these 3 days of SOEs have already been period ahead, we will Minimum Wage levels engagements. We know liquidated. Thousands of focus on the Ratification are urgently improved the enormous amount of their workers have been of ILO Convention 190, for vulnerable workers, good work that so many retrenched or left unpaid.’ “Eliminating Violence and especially farm of our shopstewards, Harassment In the World workers. leadership and members of Work”. In this regard, we ‘The importance of • Ensure that the gender have been busy with night now require government to collective bargaining has pay gap is eradicated and day over the past few announce a firm date when been highlighted during this • Eradicate non- tumultuous months. ratification will take place. difficult period of Covid-19. compliance with Not only do workers face collective agreements The fact that we meet We will launch a serious the challenge of only 30% • Increase the in our first ever virtual of rolling protest pickets in of workers falling under intensity and scope conference is testimony support of this demand at collective bargaining, but of our membership of the seriousness with all Department of Labour even those very institutions recruitment campaigns which you are taking your Provincial Offices, on every of collective bargaining • Strengthen social mandates of defending the working day of the upcoming are under massive attack. dialogue processes, gains and advancing the 16 Day’s of Activism for No The very government that procedures and rights of workers and that Violence against Women workers of this Federation provisions we are adjusting to the and Children, culminating fought for and ensured was • Introduce proposals conditions of today.’ in a protest picket at the for more efficient elected, has sought to attack Department of Labour and and undermine collective case CCMA and ‘As we develop our Employment Offices in Labour Court case bargaining by not only Pretoria. collective bargaining unashamedly reneging on management objectives, strategies and • Promote gender a signed wage agreement Our other medium terms tactics, it is critical that we equality through for 2020 but now presenting tasks: Fight a relentless reflect upon the economic collective bargaining a fait accompli to workers battle to advance our other challenges facing our • Modernise our digital by tabling a medium term Living Wage Demands: members, their families expenditure framework in skills and platform usage deployment and the working class at Parliament that will freeze We will focus on the

22 COSATU 35th Anniversary Conference

• Prioritise improved programmes for to education for the poor agreements. member service workers, and its related and the working class, delivery provisions institutions to promote access for • Reaffirm the • Review, strengthen and • Modernise and the visually impaired, criminalisation of expand our collective expand the collective whilst fundamentally employers who do not bargaining research bargaining skills protecting the rights of adhere to collective capacity capacitation training for creative workers are agreements • Development a series our shop stewards and signed into law. of labour market staff • · Ensure that there Closing Address! and employment low • Campaign for the is decent employment COSATU President, reform proposals, to expansion of the conditions in public Zingiswa Losi concluding help strengthen the social wage and the works programmes the virtual Conference said collective bargaining strengthening of it • The Universal Basic ‘Our Central Committee rights of workers institutional delivery Income Grant (UBIG) to assess the work done • Strengthen our structures must be implemented since Congress is due participation in the • Strengthen the health immediately as part in September 2021. development and and safety provisions of the social security We must go to that Central implementation of and rights at workplace framework. Committee having already global framework level • Workers needs to put begun the roll out of the agreements • The development of the “right to refuse demands of this historic • Ensure that our a clear programme dangerous work” back Collective Bargaining collective bargaining against Gender-based onto the agenda, in Conference. Workers and outcomes promote Violence and Sexual the case where the their families are looking to decent work harassment at the necessary Personal us to protect them, defend • Build the capacity of workplace, including Protective Equipment their rights and improve our affiliates to engage that affiliates must is not provided. their lives.’ in effective collective negotiate workplace • Ensure compliance bargaining collective agreements with the COIDA Losi said ‘We have grown • Use collective covering gender-based framework on all from strength to strength. bargaining to promote violence and sexual aspects, including We have survived the local procurement harassment policies emotional and tribulations of the past • Review collective • Empowerment of labour psychological trauma. decade. We have emerged bargaining agreements market institutions like • Affiliates are tasked to intact from the greatest to ensure that it the CCMA, Bargaining introduce amendments pandemic in a century. It accommodates new Councils and Labour to their collective is this fighting Federation forms of job categories Court to effectively agreements to that made history in forcing arising out of the take up workers cases provide for adequate government and business changing nature of how and accelerate their protections for workers to agree to a national work is performed effective adjudication. in the event of crisis minimum wage. It is this • Campaign for reform • Build monitoring, such as the recent Federation that has led to our retirement fund enforcement, and COVID-19 pandemic. the fight against corruption landscape, to ensure inspectorate capacity wherever it rears its ugly • Procurement policies that its investment within the Department head in both the private and must be amended and decisions and access of Labour and the public sectors. restructured to promote in the first instance support role of StatsSA local procurement from It is this COSATU that benefits workers and in providing essential only companies and stopped compulsory the objectives of the data for bargaining. state institutions which annuitisation and forced working class • Ensure that the are compliant with government to negotiate • Strengthen our Copyright & Performers employment laws and on comprehensive social involvement in Rights Amendment collective bargaining security reforms at Nedlac. industrial skills training Bills to promote access

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It is COSATU which has home. I will not attempt lower and middle income, workers must be placed now convinced Treasury to summarise the rich from inflation. under the UIF. Government to agree to our pension and vibrant discussions must pay its due and extend withdrawals proposals. It is over the past 3 days. We must ensure that the protections of the UIF to COSATU that has led the But I must confess comrade employers pay the pension public servants. We need nation on solutions to not leadership how pleased and medical contributions to defend the social wage only saving Eskom but in I am to have heard you due. We need to exercise victories we have achieved. fact the reconstruction and articulate the demands of leadership and ensure The R350 unemployment recovery of our economy. workers in such a powerful that workers’ pensions grant must be extended. It is COSATU which made manner.’ She said ‘On are safe and are invested Government must find the sure that parental leave is Zoom nogal! in a manner that benefits money.’ now a law of the Republic. workers not fund managers It is COSATU which pushed ‘Our marching orders are or politicians. We need one Losi said ‘Comrades for the massive increase in clear comrades. Workers health and safety act for all we need to send a clear UIF and maternity leave expect us to go all out to workers. Workers must be message to our ally the benefits. It is our Federation defend their constitutionally allowed the right to refuse ANC. Next year is local which has pushed enshrined rights to collective dangerous work. elections. No pamphlets or tired slogan will convince Section 189 workers to turn out in of the LRA must numbers to vote for their be amended. organisation. Workers are Workers must tired of broken promises, receive at least corruption, retrenchments 4 weeks pay and now government’s for every year attacks on collective served when bargaining. retrenched. Retrenchments If the ANC wants the must be an act votes of workers then it of last resort. must respect workers and The fight listen to them. It must against engage unions in good retrenchments faith and stop taking them must be at for granted. Government Affiliated trade unions participating in the virtual the heart of must honour the 2020 Conference from their offices remotely all our work. wage agreement and Government engage unions on the next must 3 year wage agreement. extend the Government must deal with government to release bargaining. This includes, UIF Covid-19 TERS until the pandemic of corruption up to R60 billion from the to government’s shame, December 31 without fail. and wasteful expenditure Unemployment Insurance even within the public This is workers’ money not that is collapsing the Fund into the economy service. We need to rebuild government’s. state and many of our SOEs. It must deal with during the lockdown.’ all our collective bargaining unemployment and build an councils and ensure that If government refuses, inclusive economy.’ She said ‘We are now all workers are covered then heads must roll seeing many unions by them. We must ensure in the Department. Forward with Class applying to join the that both public and private The corruption and chaos Struggle! Federation of Elijah Barayi. sector employers are made of the UIF must be dealt Forward with We have welcomed the to honour agreements, with and not swept under Socialism! farm and food workers including the 2020 public the carpet.’ Down with Neo- from AFADWU, we have service wage agreement. Liberalism! She alluded that ‘All welcomed the National We must protect the wages Down with workers, including atypical Transport Movement of workers, especially the Capitalism!

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The rise of COSATU and how it all came to be!

he Congress of South in collective bargaining, Commission had called for in the economy.» African Trade Unions employers throughout the «radical changes to South Many trade unionists is celebrating its 35th 1970s did their best not to Africa›s industrial relations suffered many setbacks, Anniversary since its recognize them, workers system». Unions were to with many arrested and tinception in Durban at the clung to these unions be allowed to organize non hanged by the regime but Kings Park Stadium. and gave them life. They racially and black workers many held the fort until became a stronger and were to be granted full South Africa was freed After its launch, the stronger presence in many industrial participation. in 1994 after the first federation vowed to workplaces. democratically managed dismantle the apartheid Job reservation-which elections, where all races regime machinery of In 1977 the government had barred black workers were allowed to vote separate development and cracked and appointed the from skilled jobs-would for their parties to be in segregation. In the years to Wiehahn Commission to be phased out. Workers government. come, workers displayed investigate the advisability would become full citizens resilience by organizing of dropping its requirement in the workplace even as The Labour Movement in across sectors of the that African workers be their basic political rights South Africa played a key economy. excluded from registered continued to be denied. role historically in providing Despite heavy-handed trade unions. Workers worker’s education and interventions by the state fought tenaciously for «The Wiehahn broader adult education before the 1985 launch, recognition of black trade Commission on Labour initiatives and enriched unions open to African unions! laws called for radical our understanding of members grew around the changes in South Africa›s ‘radical pedagogy.’ country. On 2 May 1979, the industrial relations, opening While the state barred media such as Rand Daily the way for entirely And the rest is them from participating Mail reported that the new dispensation for black history!

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Comrade omrade Comrade Barayi's (COSATU) after the Elijah activism is perhaps launch in Durban, at ELIJAH Barayi was best described by the Curries Fountain awarded an Vic Allen in his book, Stadium in 1985, with honoraryC Doctorate "The History of Black almost thirty-three from the University Mine Workers in affiliated trade unions BARAYI of South Africa on 6th South Africa". He at that time. November 2020 as a wrote: "Elijah Barayi ‘special recognition of on hearing that the Former General the humble sacrifices NUM had been Secretary honoured he undertook by formed immediately Ramaphosa went challenging the started organizing on to say, 'when he apartheid regime and workers into an NUM (Elijah Barayi) was all his efforts led to Branch at the mine elected president by UNISA the building of a non- where he worked. He of COSATU, he racial, non-sexist, was much older than declared in his democratic society’. the other activists and acceptance speech had had experience 'to the South African with an 'Elijah Barayi was in the ANC. government, I say: a great human being your time is over. We and a dedicated He came from do not apologize for cadre of our struggle. Cradock in the being black. We are honorary He was a person of Eastern Cape which proud of it. As from principle, conviction was an area well today, Mandela and and commitment. known for its support all political prisoners, As a potent, but of the ANC. He was should be released. Doctorate unassuming, entirely unknown PW Botha, you have champion of the before the Congress failed in your duties to working class and the but achieved instant release Mandela'. poor, Elijah Barayi popularity through 'Then in a manner would not expect us his impressive that became to sing him praises. oratory, his political customary for him He would insist that as commitment and he departed from his much as we may want unrestrained attacks script and, in a rousing to honour him, the on the apartheid and memorable kindest way to do so government,' political peroration, would be to advance alluded Comrade gave the government the struggles of his Cyril Ramaphosa, an ultimatum to repeal people. And yet, if we while addressing a the pass laws within are to draw lessons Memorial Lecture to six months or face the from the enormous remember the life and consequences.' contribution that times of the giant of Elijah Barayi made the Labour Movement Early years to our struggle, we on June 2016, in Elijah Barayi was will need to reflect Cape Town, Western born in Lingelihle, Ms. Zukiswa Mlhwatika, on his life and his Cape at a Provincial (Cradock ) Eastern daughter of the late Dr. Elijah person. It is telling Shopsteward Council. Cape, on 15th Barayi, receiving a certificate on that Elijah Barayi He was the first of June in 1930. behalf of her father at UNISA was never recruited president of the He was one of eight into the NUM. Congress of South children of working He recruited himself. Africa Trade Unions class parents. Barayi

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attended Lwana Primary of administering apartheid. movement on the mines. as convener at Ipeleng, School and completed Thereafter, there was no In 1981 he became a shaft Ramaphosa presided over his junior certificate at turning back. steward at Blyvooruitzicht the launch. Nuwell High School. As a young man, he left for the National Union of The congress began He matriculated at Eastern Cape to take up Mineworkers (NUM). to draw up a constitution, Healdtown Institute in 1949. employment as a clerk In 1982, the National making amendments Comrade Elijah was born around Brakpan at a State Union of Mineworkers to a draft that had been at the time when the world mine. And at night, he was was formed with Barayi circulated earlier, the was still recovering from an organizing secretary as the Vice-President. most significant being the after effects of the First for the African National In May 1985 he led 9000 the creation of the post World War, which ended in Congress. miners at Blyvooruitzicht of assistant general 1918-with little knowledge on strike in protest against secretary. The constitution that armed conflict was Life as a young worker the dismissal of two shaft determined that workers about to escalate again Barayi joined the ANC stewards. would dominate all the with the onset of the Youth League in 1952 as In 1986 when the federation’s structures; that Second World War in 1939. a teenager and became nationwide state of a national congress would Like most of all comrades, an efficient organiser and emergency was declared, be held every two years Barayi was a child of his an able speaker. He was he was detained for two and would be the highest environment. His family arrested in the early 1950s weeks then restricted to decision-making body; was part of the African for his participation in the the Caltonville magistrate that a central executive Community in Cradock Defiance Campaigns. district. In 1987 he was committee would meet where the political and Barayi worked briefly for back on public platforms. every three months; and spiritual sustenance and the Department of Native that an executive committee guidance was generously Affairs but resigned as he The founding would meet every month. provided by Canon James felt it was in the forefront president of COSATU Arthur Calata. of administering apartheid. In December 1985 at the The congress set out Canon Calata was He held a variety of jobs launch of the Congress of various resolutions: a consummate activist until 1960 when he left South African Trade Unions • To establish one union against racial discrimination the Eastern Cape to take (COSATU), Barayi was for each industry within in all its forms and wherever up employment as a clerk elected president of the six months. it manifests itself. He was at State Mines, Brakpan. new organisation, a position • To focus on the a formidable leader of the At that stage, he was an he held until 1991. exploitation of women African National Congress, organising secretary for The federation was workers. who served as the President the ANC and was detained launched, at the height • To call for the lifting of in the Cape Province and during the 1960 State of of the struggle against the state of emergency, at national level where he Emergency and held for six apartheid. As a federation, withdrawal of troops served as the Secretary months. it brought together many from the townships and General. In May 1973, Barayi of the unions formed after release of all political moved to Carltonville the wave of strikes at the prisoners. Comrade Elijah Barayi and in 1976 he became beginning of 1973 which • To continue the call was a protégé of Canon a personnel assistant on marked a renewal of for international Calata and never spared the mine. He experienced trade union activity after a pressure, including himself in taking the firsthand the conditions decade-long lull. disinvestment. struggle of his mentor and that miners experienced On 30th November 1985, • To demand for the right the oppressed to a higher underground. more than 760 delegates to strike and picket. level. He was elected as the from 33 unions descended • To determine a national He resigned from a liaison committee. Following on the sports hall of the minimum wage. secure employment at the the report of the Wiehahn University of Natal, in • To extend the struggle Department of the Native Commission in 1979, Durban, to inaugurate the for trade union rights in Affairs, because he felt that Barayi became active in new trade union federation. the homelands. they were at the very centre establishing the trade union After his earlier success

27 COSATU COSATU 35th Anniversary

The federation also and the right-wing to Harare in Zimbabwe the East Rand (Hagie elected its office Inkatha responded to attend a conference Rand). bearers at the to the federation’s organised by the World Many miners were congress. Elected establishment by saying Council of Churches, killed by police and office bearers at that Cosatu was nothing and met with ANC mining companies’ the congress but a front for the ANC, and Sactu officials for private armies, who • President Elijah its launch part of the informal talks. Because sought to prevent miners Barayi ANC’s plan to make the of these talks, the from holding meetings. • Vice president country ungovernable. federation was attacked These killings often Chris Dlamini Jay Naidoo rejected the by the government resulted in strike action. • Second vice accusation, asserting and Inkatha, who both Strikes took place in president that Cosatu was first reiterated the charge many sectors, including Makhulu Ledwaba and foremost a workers’ that Cosatu was a front manufacturing and • Treasurer organisation. for the ANC. service sector. Workers Maxwell Xulu Among employers, flocked to join Cosatu, • General Secretary reaction was more This accusation came and the federation’s Jay Naidoo mixed, the larger despite the fact that membership surged • Assistant General corporations seemingly people from a broad in the few months Secretary unfazed by the range of organisations after its launch. Sydney Mufamadi development, while had been meeting with Cosatu’s Central smaller companies the ANC in Lusaka and Executive Committee At the launch, Barayi sometimes pressured Harare since 1984, (CEC) met for the first called for the abolition of unions to switch to including prominent time at the Ipeleng the pass laws, giving the the Inkatha-organised black and white Centre in Soweto from 7 government six months United Workers' Union businessmen and white to 9 February, to consider to comply with this of South Africa (Uwusa), politicians. four proposals, all of demand before Cosatu and withheld recognition Meanwhile, workers them dealing with the embarked on a pass if unions continued being embarked on what federation’s relationship burning campaign. affiliates of Cosatu. would later be called to political struggles. He also stated, inter Anti-apartheid ‘rolling mass action’, The federation sought alia, that disinvestment organisations and in January alone to steer a middle path would work towards the welcomed the launch 185,000 man-days were between populism and dismantling of apartheid of the federation: lost to industrial action. workerism. if it was fully applied and the UDF expressed By the end of March, the Cosatu resolved to pressure was brought enthusiastic support figure rose to 550,000, be politically active and on South Africa by the in a pamphlet; Sactu a huge increase on the to form alliances with United States of America declared that it saw no 450,000 total for 1984. political organisations, and Great Britain. reason for antagonism yet maintain its During the second between it and the new Strikes took place independence. state of emergency federation; and the at Impala Platinum The CEC agreed that in 1986, Barayi was ANC appealed to the in Bophuthatswana, Cosatu would meet with detained for two weeks Black Consciousness Anglo American’s Bank the UDF, and the two and released with orders federation, Azactu and Colliery, at various met on 18 February. restricting him to the Cusa, to work together mines in the Witbank/ district of Carltonville, with Cosatu, and Middleburg area, in Transvaal. hailed the launch of the Pretoria (Pick n Pay), May Day 1986 The First year: federation in its annual in Namaqualand (De May 1 1986 marked 1986 January 8 statement. Beers), Blyvooruitzicht the 100th anniversary The government Jay Naidoo travelled in Carletonville, and on of International Labour

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Day, commonly referred called for a stayaway. Commerce, and the many not workers, to as May Day. While It was supported by Steel and Engineering attended the launch, unions had tabled the various organisations, Industries Federation of bussed in by the IFP from date as one of the key significantly by the South Africa (Seifsa), the all over the country. demands throughout the National Education Crisis metal industry employers’ Cosatu officials and early 1980s, employers Committee (NEEC) and organisation. offices came under attack had rarely conceded May the UDF, as well as many by IFP and government Day as a paid holiday. traditionally conservative On May Day 1986, forces. Offices were The newly formed Cosatu organisations – such more than 1,5-million invaded in Madadeni and workers observed the Newcastle; the house of call, joined by many Cosatu official Mathews thousands that included Olifant was petrol- school pupils, students, bombed; while other taxi drivers, hawkers, officials were abducted shopkeepers, domestic or arrested, and workers workers, self employed were attacked. and unemployed people. While the call was less The state, for its part, successful in some declared a second regions, in the PWV state of emergency, area, the heartland of and mounted a vicious industry, the response campaign of detentions was massive. Rallies and crackdowns. Many were held in all the major unionists were arrested cities, even though many or harassed, including Jay of these were banned in Naidoo, whose house was advance by the state. raided by plain-clothes The media security police on the first acknowledged that the night of the emergency, 12 majority of South Africa’s June 1986. workers had unilaterally In the first six weeks declared the day a public of the emergency, 2700 holiday, and Premier unionists were detained, Foods became the first the majority of them large employer to declare from Cosatu. Cosatu’s 1 May and 16 June as paid headquarters, Cosatu holidays. Following this, House in Johannesburg, many other companies was barricaded by the bowed to the inevitable. SADF, who monitored all movements in and out of Rightwing Reaction the building. COSATU’s launch was But workers also Elijah Barayi portrait at COSATU perceived by the Inkatha retaliated. Hundreds Headquarters at Braamfontein Freedom Party as a threat, went on strike to protest and the party launched against the detentions. its own union federation, When five NUM regional now demanded that as the African Teachers Uwusa, at Kings Park leaders were arrested in May Day be recognised Association, the National Stadium in Durban. Kimberly, 2000 workers at as a public holiday, and African Chamber of About 60,000 people, four mines went on strike,

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one of many such fire broke out inside a union ‘victory’, in each industry into incidents. mine at Kinross, and the government a single union, and COSATU president about 180 miners lost declared the day a affiliates that had Elijah Barayi, who was their lives. Gencor, public holiday. members in various also the NUM’s vice the mine owner, tried Cosatu joined the sectors were expected president, was also to play down the true UDF and the NECC to agree to the process detained, and the union nature of the disaster, in the call for a two- of streamlining initiated a national releasing news of the day stayaway on 5-6 the federation’s consumer boycott of incident late and under- May 1987, two days membership. liquor stores, bars and reporting fatalities. set aside by the state This proved to be easy concession stores – They also prevented for the white general in some instances, and more miners at access to the media election. More than but a logistical and various mines went on and union officials. 2,5-million people diplomatic nightmare strikes and go-slows. In an official statement responded to the call. in other cases. Cosatu was later, white miners who In the Eastern Cape The food sector prohibited from died were named, while the strike was 100% (Fawu) had been fairly meeting outdoors, black mining fatalities successful successful in mergers and other restrictions were announced thus: The day after the by early 1987, as were disrupted normal “Sotho 45, Shangaan strike, in the early domestic workers union processes – (Mozambican) 21, hours of 7 May, Cosatu and transport workers with the result that Pondo 20, Hlubi House was rocked (TGWU). even business began (Transkei) 6, Swazi 8, by two bomb blasts. complaining to the Venda 1, Xhosa 29, The bombs were placed Construction government that with Tswana 12, Malawi 15, near support columns workers came together union leaders in prison Pedi 1.” in the basement, and in Cawu, chemical they were forced to Wages and safety the damage was so workers in CWIU, negotiate with ‘mobs’. had always been the extensive that the and Nehawu brought biggest concerns of building was declared together hospital and Cosatu held a special mine workers, and the unsafe. Cosatu, NUM, education workers. meeting of its Central disaster caused deep Pwawu, TGWU, The metal workers’ Executive Committee anger. NUM called for Sarwhu and Mawu all unions merged on (CEC) on 1 July. a work stoppage on 1 lost their head offices. 23-4 May 1987 into the Most of the delegates October, and 325,000 In the aftermath, with second largest union wanted to call for a miners heeded the the SABC launching a within Cosatu, smaller stayaway, despite call. A large number campaign of vilification only than NUM. fears of dismissals and of industrial workers that dared to present Numsa came into insufficient mobilising supported the call – the blasts as the work being with the merger capacity. The ‘Day of as many as 275,000, of Cosatu itself, the of Mawu, Naawu, Action’ was set for 14 according to Cosatu federation launched Ummawosa, Gawu, July, but the response estimates. a ‘Hands Off Cosatu’ TGWU and Macwusa. was disappointing. campaign. Micwu, not a Cosatu The UDF and other The Stayaway and affiliate, also joined up. organisations had the Bomb Mergers: One Numsa began with been unprepared for In May 1987 Cosatu Industry, One 130,000 paid-up the call and failed to launched its Living Union members, choosing as support the strike. Wage Campaign, As part of one of its general secretary beginning on May its founding policies, Moses Mayekiso, who Disaster in Kinross Day, a Friday. Cosatu sought to bring would complete 33 On 16 September a To avert a all organised workers months in detention

30 COSATU 35th Anniversary COSATU

before taking up the increases to different banks prevented workers and leadership and local position.Ccawusa, TGWU grades of workers – and from withdrawing money structures were identified and NUTW underwent push for an industry-wide from their accounts. as weaknesses. The Living more difficult attempts to agreement. Negotiations The strike was particularly Wage Campaign was form single industry unions. began in May 1987 and successful at coal mines in identified as Cosatu’s most hit a deadlock soon after, the Witbank area, but miners important programme, with The Freedom Charter and two conciliation boards throughout the industry held huge potential, but the Cosatu held its second failed to produce results. out for the duration. By late campaign had not been national congress from 14 The Chamber of Mines, August, miners were being adequately developed, and to 18 July 1987. The most which was offering 17- threatened with dismissal. plans were made to take significant issue on the 23%, while NUM was The chamber made a the programme forward. agenda was the proposal demanding 30%, remained final offer on 26 August, But Cosatu was beset by by the NUM that Cosatu, intransigent. In July, NUM’s on the 18th day of the other problems: violence in as the mineworkers had members overwhelmingly strike, but NUM refused Natal was intensifying and done, adopt the Freedom voted for a strike, and to accept. Anglo sent in its forced the federation to turn Charter. Despite a contrary the union announced on mine security in ‘hippos’ its attention to the province motion by Numsa, which August 3 that an industry- – armoured trucks – and instead of continuing with demanded that only large, wide strike would begin on workers were fired upon and other work. mass-based socialist- 9 August. many forced underground at oriented organisations be Western Deep Levels. The Meanwhile, amendments accepted as allies, the NUM On the night of 9 August, next day Anglo dismissed were being proposed to the resolution was adopted, 75,000 workers failed to turn 10,000 workers, and many Labour Relations Act (LRA) although the federation was up for work on the night shift, were bussed back to the that sought to curtail strike deeply divided by the move, and the next day a further homelands. In total 50,000 activity and reverse gains many having a more critical 300,000 observed the strike workers were sacked. made regarding job security. relation to the Charter and call. Anglo American mines Fearful of a defeat Employers in particular Charterist political forces. were affected more than similar to the disastrous were putting pressure on any other. After reaching mineworkers strike of 1946, government to curtail union The Miners on Strike a peak of 340,000 by the NUM announced on 29 powers, and Cosatu was The largest strike in South second day, the number August that it accepted the forced to spend the next African history saw about remained stable at 300,000 offer made on 26 August. few years opposing these 3,5-million mineworkers for the next two weeks. attacks on its effectiveness. stop production in August Consolidation and CWIU, Ppwawu and Numsa 1987. Miners were tired of Battles broke out around Turbulence in particular led attempts to low pay, degrading tasks, control of hostels and Following the huge oppose the amendments, the oppressive apartheid supplies of food, and mineworkers’ strike, Cosatu but the unionists realised structure in the workplace workers were attacked in assessed the effects of they were fighting a as well as outside it. At the numerous ways: electricity the strike and considered losing battle. The state, NUM’s annual congress in to hostels was cut off, police why it had failed to mount employers and even the February 1987 the slogan were called in and opened support strikes. It set about coloured Labour Party ‘The Year the Mineworkers fire with live and rubber strengthening its structures: were determined to push Take Control’ was adopted. ammunition, workers were a leadership code was through the amendments. teargassed and forced set out and discussed; an Nevertheless, Cosatu Representing the underground, and many education conference was lodged a formal complaint lowest-paid mineworkers were arrested. held in October 1987 and with the International in the world, NUM was The Reserve Bank education officers were Labour Organisation. determined to avoid earlier withheld donations made appointed; an assessment Amidst all the turmoil, mistakes – such as split to NUM from international was made of the federation’s on 24 February 1988, offers which gave different supporters, and other strengths and weaknesses, Cosatu came under heavy

31 COSATU COSATU 35th Anniversary

restrictions when the in a heated manner, However, the massive Early efforts to government banned most of the issues show of support organize workers 17 organisations, relating to relations failed to halt ominous and his role in the including the UDF, between Charterist developments. federation South African and non-Charterist Despite negotiations Although trade Youth Congress organisations. between Cosatu, unions had a presence (Sayco), Sansco, the A compromise Nactu (the Black throughout the modern NEEC and Azapo. resolution was Consciousness union history of South Africa, Although Cosatu eventually adopted, federation), the South Black trade unions was not banned, it in which a committee African Consultative never managed to was prohibited from would be set up to Committee on Labour establish a permanent engaging in political examine ideas for joint Affairs (Saccola), and presence until the activity. action, and delegates the Department of emergence of unions acknowledged that Manpower, the Labour in the later 1970s and The Special non-Charterists would Relations Amendment 1980s. The Industrial Congress and have to be included in Act became law on Commercial Union more strikes any decisions made. 1 September 1988. (ICU), formed by To assess the effects The anti-LRA campaign Cements Kadalie in of the bannings and Delegates also voted had effectively failed, 1919, was the first real the Labour Relations to call for three days and Cosatu’s leaders flowering of trade union Amendment Bill, of action, from 6 to 8 engaged in a process activity among Black Cosatu held a special June 1988, to oppose of assessment and workers in the country. congress on 14 May bannings, restrictions introspection to Although it could 1988. Besides the and the measures determine the way claim a membership federation’s 1324 used by the state to forward. of 100,000 at its peak delegates, leaders of squash anti-apartheid in 1927, the ICU was the UDF, churches opposition. It was Meanwhile, Cosatu moribund by 1930. and other civil society billed as three days set about organising organisations attended of ‘national peaceful the Anti-Apartheid Further attempts the meeting, which was protest’. Conference (AAC). at unionising Black held at the University On 6 June, It was to be held workers took place of the Witwatersrand. between 2,5-million at the University of throughout the period and 3-million people Cape Town on 24 after 1930, including Delegates analysed observed the call and and 25 September, the CPSA-inspired the current situation stayed at home. The with delegates from African Federation in all its complexity – level of the stayaway all over the country of Trade Unions, the political, economic dropped in some areas set to travel to the the Trotskyite Joint and social aspects on the two subsequent venue. However, the Committee of African of the late 1980s, days, but in the Black Consciousness Workers, and the SA and concluded that Witwatersrand and and New Unity Railway and Harbour apartheid was in crisis, Natal it was constant, Movement groupings Workers Union in the and the regime was as was the case in the pulled out at the last 1930s. deemed unable to Eastern Transvaal. minute. To make In 1940 the stem the demands for Cosatu was taken matters worse, the Co-ordinating democracy. aback at the level of government banned Committee of African support for the strike, the conference, and Trade Unions was Proposals regarding but there was concern the idea had to be established, and the forging of a united about sectors that had abandoned. the next year saw front were debated not heeded the call. the formation of

32 COSATU 35th Anniversary COSATU

the Food and Canning Pound-a-Day campaigns was honoured in various Housing and Settlement Workers Union, one were spectacularly platforms and through as a clear recognition for of the most durable in successful in 1957, but in various sustainable projects all his contributions in the the history of South 1958 the campaign drew within communities. country against the barbaric African unionism. limited response, and COSATU has named its apartheid regime which The 1940s also saw the the ANC, which initially prestigious Elijah Barayi segregation its citizens and establishment of the African supported the 1958 strike, Award on outstanding boxed them in match-box Mineworkers Union and the called for an end to strike leadership bravery after houses, to deny them their Council of Non-European action after the first day, their founding president. right to life of dignity and Trade Unions (CNETU). causing tensions between The NUM has established prosperity. The Mega City With the coming of the two organisations. the Elijah Barayi Memorial in Carltonville in the west apartheid, laws such After the Sharpeville Institute to honour all what of Gauteng has created as the Suppression of Massacre in 1960, the ANC he stood for. economic opportunities for Communism Act hit unions and SACP jointly formed residents and surrounding hard. Black workers left the Umkhonto we Sizwe The former NUM General areas, with almost 111 Trades & Labour Council (MK) in 1961, and most of Secretary, Comrade companies owned by to join the Trade Union Sactu’s leaders, who were Motlanthe at the inaugural women, youth and people Council of South Africa also members of the ANC, launch of Elijah Barayi with disability, involved in (Tucsa), which had an joined the underground Memorial Lectures at subcontracting and has ambivalent relation to Black military organisation. the Carletonville Sport created more than 1 000 unions, often excluding Complex, said, ‘we owe jobs. them or keeping them in By 1959 Sactu had a Comrade Elijah Barayi, not check in favour of its white membership of 46,000 a monument of stone, but a COSATU in Gauteng in members. in 35 affiliates. But state living monument of young 2019 have launched the repression saw many Sactu and old alike that live the Inaugural Elijah Barayi In 1955 the more leaders and members values that he exemplified Memorial Games in which progressive members of arrested during the early in what was a life well lived. all affiliated trade unions Tucsa formed an alliance 1960s, and by 1965 Sactu He stood for values such as participated in various with CNETU to establish was decimated, leading patriotism, that is based on sporting codes as part the South African Congress to frenetic debates about the love for the people, in his and parcel of deepening of Trade Unions (SACTU), the relationship between country and the continent, class consciousness which held its first annual unions and the liberation a love for freedom that is amongst members in their congress in 1956. Sactu movements. backed up by conscious communities. joined the ANC-led The period after 1965 activism, the ability to Congress Alliance, and saw little Black union hold those entrusted with His death took part in many of the activity, although some office in al spheres of Elijah Barayi died on the resistance campaigns of unions did come into being life accountable for how 24th January 1994 after a the 1950s. in the early 1970s, notably they lead those who have short illness. Barayi retired The state, sensing the the Transport and Allied called upon them to serve. from COSATU in 1991 threat that an organised Workers union, the Sweet, Comrade Elijah worked with and 1993 from mine work. Black union movement Food and Allied Workers and led workers who lived He was married to posed to apartheid, Union, the Paper, Wood and this principle of ‘an injury to Nontobeko and they have introduced the Industrial Allied Workers Union, and one is an injury to all’. four children. Conciliation Amendment the Building, Construction Act in 1956 to prohibit and Allied Workers Union. Recently, in 2019, a Elijah Lala Kahle Dr. Elijah Africans from joining Barayi Village housing Barayi! registered unions. Honours and Awards establishment was named Long Live the undying The fierce unionist after Elijah Barayi by the Spirit of Comrade Nevertheless, Sactu’s and a Freedom Fighter Gauteng Department of Elijah Barayi!

33 Alliance COSATU 35th Anniversary

COSATU ANC Alliance

OSATU founding after 1994. Recently, the when it is in government”, They pointed to the ANC’s President Cde debate has intensified a FAWU Transvaal regiona lack of consultation with Elijah Barayi in with some arguing that secretary was quoted in allies, especially COSATU, his first address the Alliance has failed an interview with a Labour lack of consultation and Cto the 1400 delegates to maintain the unity Bulletin in 1991. democracy within the who gathered at Curries and cohesion that is ANC, lack of an organising Fountain Stadium in always in display during As early as 1991, there programme, secretive Durban during COSATU’s the elections campaign. had been increasing negotiations and a 1st Congress said the COSATU has long argued concern within COSATU willingness to compromise following; “I am here to bury that the Alliance must over whether the working on major issues, lack of PW Botha, not to praise not become elections class had real influence strategic perspective, him” He went on to warn machinery only and that its within the ANC. At the lack of coherence and government that labour usefulness and activities same time there had been collectivity in leadership and unions would lead the must not be limited to growing anger about the a leadership dominated by revolutionary overthrow of delivering and working ANC leadership’s lack exiles with an inadequate the government. He gave together only during the of consultation with its understanding of mass Botha six months to do elections while being own members and with organisation or action. away with the pass laws, excluded from governance. COSATU, and about its This was to be expected the Bantustan system, poor negotiating strategy. because unionists, steeped to unban COSAS and all Over the years, there in a culture of mandates political organisations, as have been a persistence Despite these criticisms, and accountability, were well as to lift the state of of public spats and some the majority of trade uncomfortable with a emergency. within the federation felt unionists in COSATU saw secretive organisation that that the ANC was addicted their tasks as supporting, had been paranoid for a This signalled that the to neoliberal policies that strengthening, and long time because of the newly formed federation have destroyed the lives of democratising the ANC, fear of infiltration in exile. was not going to be the working class, and at rather than distancing gumboots union that was the same time some in the themselves from it. While PPAWU’s Sipho going to limit itself only to ANC felt that the federation they sympathised with Kubheka once observed workplace issues. Over was too assertive on issues the urgent pressures that that; “We comrades who the last thirty-five years relating to both the ANC were facing the ANC at the were active inside the COSATU has been a and government. time, like relocating from country thought the exiled significant player in the But this is not a new Lusaka to South Africa and leadership were without political life of the country. debate and it goes back to build a mass organisation faults. We did not consider This political participation when the ANC Alliance was while navigating tricky the effects of exile, of being has also been passionately formed in the early 90s. negotiations with the far from home, of working and vigorously debated “I am not too optimistic that apartheid regime; they underground. When the inside and outside the ANC will protect the still felt that the ANC ANC was unbanned, we COSATU, especially after interests of workers and that struggled with some basic noticed problems” the ANC assumed power it will be favour of socialism organisational principles.

34 COSATU 35th Anniversary Alliance

COSATU strike: Workers marching against corruption

Even the effectiveness of and also realise that many material conditions. People would be expecting the Alliance had been under of the current problems are The armed struggle was a lot of services from you. scrutiny as early as 1991. not new. The contemporary adopted after the apartheid You would have to satisfy “The Alliance has made no political analysis by political regime made it very clear the various demands vivid progress. We react to commentators has tended that it was not prepared to of the masses of our issues at the last minute, to be narrowly mechanical compromise and was going people. In the process, not in an organised fashion. and mostly about to continue to adopt a hard- be prepared to learn from COSATU has not had a personalities. line position against any other people’s revolutions. visible input or influence in dissent. Learn from the enemy also. the alliance”, noted Chris ANC pragmatism The enemy is not necessarily Dlamini. Through much of This careful pragmatism doing everything wrongly. its history, the African and commonsensical You may take his right “Some of the actions of National Congress (ANC) approach can be better tactics and use them to the ANC make a mockery has ardently adopted characterised by the your advantage. At the of the alliance. You meet in and ultimately pursued statement from Cde. O same time, avoid repeating the alliance and decide on a socially inclusive and R Tambo, when he was the enemy’s mistakes”. strategy and tactics. While pragmatic approach, when addressing MK Guerrillas A debate can be had you are reporting to your dealing with the complex in Southern Angola, 1977, to discuss whether members the next day you and difficult questions of the long serving President this conciliationist and read a different thing in the our revolution. of the ANC, had this to pragmatic approach helps newspapers, said Sipho say: “Comrades, you might or hinders the ANC but Kubheka. A cursory examination think it is very difficult to what is not arguable is that of the history of the ANC wage a liberation struggle. it does unfortunately neuter In the current climate of shows that the organisation Wait until you are in power. its revolutionary character. frustration and noise, this only adopted radical By then, you will realize that reflection back to our history positions reluctantly under it is actually more difficult The above quotation is important. It will help us duress from within or to keep the power than show that the ANC never put things into perspective based on the changing to wage a liberation war. underestimated the

35 COSATU 35th Anniversary

enormity of the unless the basic In as much as away as necessary task that lay ahead wealth and the basic the current state of pragmatism. and that in its resources are at the the working class At this point, we customary character disposal of the people in South Africa can are compelled to it approached the as a whole and are be traced back ask whether our post post 1994 era, with not manipulated several decades, 1994 challenges are a flexible approach by sections or when the apartheid due to the complexity not bound by individuals be they regime used to rule of the ever evolving any ideological White or Black”. the roost, one is international balance constraints. While it led inescapably to of forces, our own can be argued that Yet, despite this search for some miscalculations the ANC’s motivation level of clarity and answers both in or certain vested has always been commitment the the socio-economic interests with a much more truth of the matter is environment within particular class prudential rather that since the ANC which the ANC is agenda; or maybe than doctrinaire; took political power governing and, even it’s a combination of it has always in 1994 monopoly more fundamentally, all these factors. acknowledged that capital (white in the essential radical change is monopoly capital in nature of the ANC The post 1994 necessary in this particular) continued itself. democratic country if freedom to benefit in the same breakthrough saw is to be given any way it did under The above the emergence of meaning for the poor apartheid and the dispatches from O.R. a black capitalist and black majority. economy is largely Tambo talk about group “patriotic still in their hands. the burden of high bourgeoisie” which This is also expectations and was created under corroborated by The challenge demands to come the disguise of the the organisational for us, therefore, is from our people, democratisation of reflections as to begin to offer a when the movement the economy. contained in the ANC serious answer to the took power; but one Strategy and Tactics most elementary and is tempted to add At worst, the document of 1969 as obvious question: what was missing 50th ANC National adopted in Morogoro ‘Why has the ANC in it, which was to Conference held that said: “We do not failed so miserably to caution against in Mafikeng, 1997 underestimate the defend the working constant temptations adopted a new complexities which class of this country, that come with being Strategy and Tactics will face a people's let alone emancipate a political leadership which regarded government during it? The last quarter- in power. the rising of black the transformation century of democracy bourgeoisie as part of period nor the has witnessed a The political the motive forces for enormity of the precipitous decline in paralysis that we see fundamental change. problems of meeting the social position of today actually started This happened economic needs the working class and during the CODESA notwithstanding the of the mass of the the ANC government negotiations, where fact that the working oppressed people. has been incapable the inadequate class both from But one thing is of defending the negotiating within the ANC and certain-in our land working class against strategies of the ANC from the Alliance this cannot be the onslaught of and tactical mistakes formations rejected effectively tackled capital. were explained the inclusion of

36 COSATU 35th Anniversary

the so-called comprador different in content in each bourgeoisie has lost its as soon as the common bourgeoisie as drivers of period of the revolution and revolutionary character enemy is defeated. This is change. This was not a in the period of building and has only adopted so because it is not in the mistake because while the socialism”. conciliationist character. material interests of the ANC professes to be biased Therefore, this means that bourgeois allies (black or towards the working class, Unfortunately, for the the contradiction between white) to see the struggle its DNA is like that one on ANC the so-called black the national bourgeoisie reach its logical conclusion, amoeba that refuses to comprador bourgeoisie was and the working class is hence at some stage they conform to any rigid shape conceptualised and then one between exploiter will take the route of reform or ideological position. sponsored by monopoly and exploited and is by or will pervert the class The problem with capital to firstly frustrate nature antagonistic and struggle. ideologically perplexed or economic transformation by irreconcilable. neutral organisations is de-racialising' capitalism. Therefore, the current that they hinder the class The ANC itself remained political and economic struggle by being slow to They deliberately did this sceptical and did warn developments should make respond to rapidly changing to ensure that economic against the bourgeoisie in the working class to reflect situations because they are transformation only its Strategy and Tactics, on the wayforward honestly not sure who their priority is meant the integration of when it argued that “There and soberly. The working in class terms. blacks into the economic are possibilities that some can only rely on no one but structures of ownership, of these forces are dictated itself. They also have a while leaving these to by foreign or local big propensity to shape both structures unchanged. It is capital on whom they rely It is crystal clear that other the revolution and the this integrationist strategy on for their advancement. contending class forces post-revolutionary society that does not tamper of the NDR are sending in a hierarchical fashion, with the capitalist logic of There are possibilities a direct message to the so re-creating class rule accumulation; and that too, that the path to riches working class as a primary that reflects their internal politically attempts to define for some can be directly motive force that ‘You are class contradictions. the black bourgeoisie via office, sometimes on your own’ as we are all The major weakness of the as a motive force of the through corrupt practices. aware that the secondary ANC comes from it being a revolution instead of the Though such instances motive forces distort the multiclass organisation that working class that has may be an exception to NDR not because they don’t tries to do the balancing act hobbled and constrained the norm, experience in understand its objectives of managing irreconcilable the ANC from defending other countries has taught but are guided by their own contradictions. and liberating the working us that, without vigilance, material interest, which class. elements of these new negates progress and Chairman Mao clarified capitalist classes can victory of the NDR. Hence, the issue of contradictions, This black bourgeoisie become witting or unwitting they continue to freeze our when he said: “Within the class was co-opted and tools of monopoly interests, struggle into a permanent ranks of the people, the captured to push the narrow or parasites who thrive on state of transition that contradictions among the interests of monopoly corruption in public office”. creates a false impression working people are non- capital and not the national of a state of equilibrium antagonistic, while those interests. In our country, The Bolshevik among the contending between the exploited the contradiction between revolutionary Vladimir Lenin class forces within and the exploiting classes the working class and the also warned that the two the NDR. have a non-antagonistic national bourgeoisie cannot class forces cannot wage as well as an antagonistic therefore be categorised as a successful revolution aspect. There have always the contradictions among and that it is in the nature been contradictions among the people. The South of the bourgeoisie allies to the people, but they are African black national betray the working class

37 CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Head Office SUN 1 SUN COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street Corner Simmonds Street, Johannesburg MON 1 Labour School 1 Secretariat 2 Secretariat 1 MON P O Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000 Tel: 011 339 4911 TUE 2 Labour School 2 1 NOB 3 NOB 2 COSATU 36th Anniverssary TUE Gauteng PEC / Limpopo PEC WED 3 Labour School 3 Gauteng PEC 2 4 NEF 1 3 Political School 1 WED Parliamentary Office:Tel: (021) 461 3835 Human Resource Comm. Free State PEC / North West PEC Northern Cape PEC National Young Workers Easter Cape Provincial Mpumalanga PEC / Eastern Cape PEC THUR 4 4 1 3 1 5 2 Free State PEC 4 Political School 2 THUR Western Cape: Tel: (021) 448 0046 Free State PEC Forum Congress Western Cape PEC / KZN PEC Mpumalanga PEC National Young Workers Easter Cape Provincial Eastern Cape PEC Trade/Industr. Policy Forum NC PEC FRI 1 New Year’s Day 5 5 Eastern Cape PEC/KZN PEC 2 Good Friday 4 Forum 2 Congress 6 3 North West PSSC /KZN PEC 1 5 Political School 3 FRI Gauteng: Tel: (011) 403 0990 SAT 2 6 6 3 Holy Saturday 1 Worker’s Day 5 3 SIC Bosberaad 7 4 Western Cape PSSC 2 6 4 SAT North West: Tel: (018) 462 2406 SUN 3 7 7 4 Easter Sunday 2 6 4 SIC Bosberaad 8 5 3 7 5 SUN Limpopo: Tel: (015) 291 2981 Secretariat Secretariat MON 4 8 Secretariat 8 International Women’s Day 5 Family Day 3 Secretariat 7 International Children’s Day 5 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 9 National Women’s Day 6 Secretariat 4 8 Secretariat 6 MON NW Prov. Gender Conf. Mpumalanga: Tel: (013) 656 0289 TUE 5 9 NOB 9 NOB 6 4 NOB 8 NOB 6 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 10 FINCOM NC PSSC 7 NOB 5 IRC 9 NOB 7 TUE Human Resources Committee NEDCOM North West Prov Gender Conf. WED 6 25th Joe Slovo Anniversary 10 10 NHI Sub-Committee 7 5 9 Limpopo PEC 7 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 11 8 6 IRC 10 Human Resource Comm. 8 WED Free State: Tel: (051) 447 5499 National Young Workers Forum Health Resource Committee Free State PSSC COCC Meeting SONA Western Cape PEC Western Cape PEC International Youth Day Limpopo PSSC THUR 7 11 11 Limpopo PEC/North West PEC 8 NGC 6 NEDCOM FINCOM 10 North West PEC 8 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 12 North West Provincial Congress 9 Mpumalanga PSSC 7 11 FINCOM 9 THUR Kwazulu Natal: Tel: (031) 304 1690 Mpumalanga PEC FRI 8 12 Health Committee Meeting 12 9 NGC 7 Health Committee Meeting 11 Trade/Indust. Policy Forum 9 13 North West Provincial Congress 10 KZN PSSC / NC PSSC 8 COCC Meeting 12 Climate Change Committee 10 FRI Eastern Cape: Tel: (043)726 4038/45 SAT 9 13 13 10 27th Chris Hani Anniversary 8 12 10 14 11 9 13 11 SAT Northern Cape: Tel: (053) 832 9090 SUN 10 14 14 11 9 Mother’s Day 13 11 15 12 10 14 12 SUN

MON 11 COSATU Office Opens 15 Secretariat 15 Secretariat 12 Secretariat 10 14 Secretariat 12 Secretariat 16 Gauteng Gender Conference 13 Secretariat 11 SIC Bosberaad 15 Secretariat 13 Secretariat MON GONE BUT, NOT FORGOTTEN Gauteng Gender Conference TUE 12 16 NOB 16 NOB 13 11 15 NOB 13 NOB 17 14 NOB 12 SIC Bosberaad 16 NOB 14 NOB TUE May their Souls Rest in Peace in Heavenly Glory KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference Gauteng Gender Conference WED 13 17 FINCOM 17 IRC 14 Mpumalanga PSSC 12 16 Youth Day 14 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 18 KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference 15 13 National Staff Meeting 17 15 COSATU Offices Closes WED Gauteng PSSC Gauteng Gender Conference CSSR Committee National Organisers THUR 14 18 Media forum 18 Trade/Indust. Policy Forum 15 Limpopo PSCC 13 17 15 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 19 KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference 16 Gauteng PEC Limpopo PEC 14 National Staff Meeting 18 Forum 16 Day of Reconcilliation THUR Climate Change Northern Cape PSSC KwaZulu Natal Gender CSSR Committee Campaigns FRI 15 19 Committee Meeting 19 16 North West PSSC 14 Media Forum 18 16 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 20 Conference 17 Mpumalanga PEC /NC PEC 15 19 Committee Meeting 17 FRI E.Cape PSSC / E.Cape PSSC SAT 16 20 20 17 Free State PSSC 15 19 17 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 21 18 16 20 18 SAT SUN 17 21 21 Human Rights Day 18 16 20 Father’s Day 18 Nelson Mandela Day 22 19 17 21 19 SUN

MON 18 Secretariat 22 COSATU CEC 22 Human Rights Day observed 19 Secretariat 17 COSATU CEC 21 19 NOB Bosberaad 23 COSATU CEC 20 Central Committee 18 NOB Bosberaad 22 COSATU CEC 20 MON

TUE 19 NOB 23 COSATU CEC 23 20 NOB 18 COSATU CEC 22 Limpopo Gender Conf. 20 NOB Bosberaad 24 COSATU CEC 21 Central Committee 19 NOB Bosberaad 23 COSATU CEC 21 TUE Climate Change John Dlamini: Samwu President WED 20 24 COSATU CEC 24 Committee 21 KwaZulu natal PSSC 19 COSATU CEC 23 Limpopo Gender Conf. 21 25 COSATU CEC 22 Central Committee 20 24 COSATU CEC 22 WED THUR 21 Affiliates Induction 25 25 22 COCC Meeting 20 24 Limpopo Gender Conf. 22 NEDCOM 26 23 21 Media Forum NGC 25 23 THUR NEDCOM Trade/Indust. Policy Forum FRI 22 Affiliates Induction 26 26 23 Campaigns Committee 21 25 Limpopo Gender Conf. 23 Media Forum 27 24 Heritage Day 22 NGC 26 24 FRI SAT 23 27 27 24 22 26 24 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 28 25 23 27 25 Christmas Day SAT

SUN 24 28 28 25 23 27 25 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 29 26 24 28 26 Day of Goodwill SUN

Secretariat International Day MON 25 Secretariat 29 Secretariat 26 24 28 Secretariat 26 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 30 27 Secretariat 25 Secretariat 29 of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 27 Day of Goodwill observed MON Africa Day Eastern Cape Gender Conf. NC Prov. Gender. Conf. TUE 26 NOB 30 NOB 27 Freedom Day 25 Gauteng PEC 29 27 MPUMALANGA Prov. Gender Conf. 31 28 NOB 26 NOB 30 NOB 28 TUE MPUMALANGA Kholekile Sipunzi: NUM GS Eastern Cape Gender Conf.Conf. WED 27 31 NEDCOM 28 CHB Launch 26 30 28 Prov. Gender. Conf. 29 NEDCOM 27 29 WED CHB Launch Free State PEC MPUMALANGA THUR 28 29 27 NC PEC 29 Provincial Gender Conference 30 28 30 THUR Eastern Cape PEC MPUMALANGA CHB Launch Health Committee Meeting New Year’s Eve FRI 29 30 28 KwaZulu Natal PEC 30 Provincial Gender Conference 29 31 FRI SAT 30 29 31 30 SAT SUN 31 Labour School 30 31 SUN

38 Affiliates Contact Details CEPPWAWU: [email protected] CWU: 011 720 0360/0131, [email protected]; [email protected] DENOSA: 012 343 2315; [email protected]; [email protected] LIMUSA: 011 339 2869; [email protected] NEHAWU: 011 833 2902; [email protected] NUM: 011 377 2002/2091, [email protected]

Koena Ramatlou: Samwu GS PAWUSA: 021 424 2055/1405; [email protected]; [email protected] POPCRU: 011 242 4600; [email protected] SACCAWU: 011 403 0852/8333; [email protected] SACTWU: 021 447 4570; [email protected] SADTU: 011 971 2000, [email protected]; [email protected] SAEPU: 076 478 1064; [email protected] SASBO: 011 467 0192/3/4, [email protected]; [email protected] SAMA: 012 481 2000; [email protected] SAMWU: 011 100 2602; [email protected] SATAWU: 011 403 2077; [email protected] Shereno Printers: 087 941 4100 CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Head Office SUN 1 SUN COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street Corner Simmonds Street, Johannesburg MON 1 Labour School 1 Secretariat 2 Secretariat 1 MON P O Box 1019 Johannesburg 2000 Tel: 011 339 4911 TUE 2 Labour School 2 1 NOB 3 NOB 2 COSATU 36th Anniverssary TUE Gauteng PEC / Limpopo PEC WED 3 Labour School 3 Gauteng PEC 2 4 NEF 1 3 Political School 1 WED Parliamentary Office:Tel: (021) 461 3835 Human Resource Comm. Free State PEC / North West PEC Northern Cape PEC National Young Workers Easter Cape Provincial Mpumalanga PEC / Eastern Cape PEC THUR 4 4 1 3 1 5 2 Free State PEC 4 Political School 2 THUR Western Cape: Tel: (021) 448 0046 Free State PEC Forum Congress Western Cape PEC / KZN PEC Mpumalanga PEC National Young Workers Easter Cape Provincial Eastern Cape PEC Trade/Industr. Policy Forum NC PEC FRI 1 New Year’s Day 5 5 Eastern Cape PEC/KZN PEC 2 Good Friday 4 Forum 2 Congress 6 3 North West PSSC /KZN PEC 1 5 Political School 3 FRI Gauteng: Tel: (011) 403 0990 SAT 2 6 6 3 Holy Saturday 1 Worker’s Day 5 3 SIC Bosberaad 7 4 Western Cape PSSC 2 6 4 SAT North West: Tel: (018) 462 2406 SUN 3 7 7 4 Easter Sunday 2 6 4 SIC Bosberaad 8 5 3 7 5 SUN Limpopo: Tel: (015) 291 2981 Secretariat Secretariat MON 4 8 Secretariat 8 International Women’s Day 5 Family Day 3 Secretariat 7 International Children’s Day 5 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 9 National Women’s Day 6 Secretariat 4 8 Secretariat 6 MON NW Prov. Gender Conf. Mpumalanga: Tel: (013) 656 0289 TUE 5 9 NOB 9 NOB 6 4 NOB 8 NOB 6 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 10 FINCOM NC PSSC 7 NOB 5 IRC 9 NOB 7 TUE Human Resources Committee NEDCOM North West Prov Gender Conf. WED 6 25th Joe Slovo Anniversary 10 10 NHI Sub-Committee 7 5 9 Limpopo PEC 7 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 11 8 6 IRC 10 Human Resource Comm. 8 WED Free State: Tel: (051) 447 5499 National Young Workers Forum Health Resource Committee Free State PSSC COCC Meeting SONA Western Cape PEC Western Cape PEC International Youth Day Limpopo PSSC THUR 7 11 11 Limpopo PEC/North West PEC 8 NGC 6 NEDCOM FINCOM 10 North West PEC 8 FS Prov. Gender Conf. 12 North West Provincial Congress 9 Mpumalanga PSSC 7 11 FINCOM 9 THUR Kwazulu Natal: Tel: (031) 304 1690 Mpumalanga PEC FRI 8 12 Health Committee Meeting 12 9 NGC 7 Health Committee Meeting 11 Trade/Indust. Policy Forum 9 13 North West Provincial Congress 10 KZN PSSC / NC PSSC 8 COCC Meeting 12 Climate Change Committee 10 FRI Eastern Cape: Tel: (043)726 4038/45 SAT 9 13 13 10 27th Chris Hani Anniversary 8 12 10 14 11 9 13 11 SAT Northern Cape: Tel: (053) 832 9090 SUN 10 14 14 11 9 Mother’s Day 13 11 15 12 10 14 12 SUN

MON 11 COSATU Office Opens 15 Secretariat 15 Secretariat 12 Secretariat 10 14 Secretariat 12 Secretariat 16 Gauteng Gender Conference 13 Secretariat 11 SIC Bosberaad 15 Secretariat 13 Secretariat MON GONE BUT, NOT FORGOTTEN Gauteng Gender Conference TUE 12 16 NOB 16 NOB 13 11 15 NOB 13 NOB 17 14 NOB 12 SIC Bosberaad 16 NOB 14 NOB TUE May their Souls Rest in Peace in Heavenly Glory KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference Gauteng Gender Conference WED 13 17 FINCOM 17 IRC 14 Mpumalanga PSSC 12 16 Youth Day 14 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 18 KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference 15 13 National Staff Meeting 17 15 COSATU Offices Closes WED Gauteng PSSC Gauteng Gender Conference CSSR Committee National Organisers THUR 14 18 Media forum 18 Trade/Indust. Policy Forum 15 Limpopo PSCC 13 17 15 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 19 KwaZulu Natal Gender Conference 16 Gauteng PEC Limpopo PEC 14 National Staff Meeting 18 Forum 16 Day of Reconcilliation THUR Climate Change Northern Cape PSSC KwaZulu Natal Gender CSSR Committee Campaigns FRI 15 19 Committee Meeting 19 16 North West PSSC 14 Media Forum 18 16 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 20 Conference 17 Mpumalanga PEC /NC PEC 15 19 Committee Meeting 17 FRI E.Cape PSSC / E.Cape PSSC SAT 16 20 20 17 Free State PSSC 15 19 17 WC Prov. Gender. Conf. 21 18 16 20 18 SAT SUN 17 21 21 Human Rights Day 18 16 20 Father’s Day 18 Nelson Mandela Day 22 19 17 21 19 SUN

MON 18 Secretariat 22 COSATU CEC 22 Human Rights Day observed 19 Secretariat 17 COSATU CEC 21 19 NOB Bosberaad 23 COSATU CEC 20 Central Committee 18 NOB Bosberaad 22 COSATU CEC 20 MON

TUE 19 NOB 23 COSATU CEC 23 20 NOB 18 COSATU CEC 22 Limpopo Gender Conf. 20 NOB Bosberaad 24 COSATU CEC 21 Central Committee 19 NOB Bosberaad 23 COSATU CEC 21 TUE Climate Change John Dlamini: Samwu President WED 20 24 COSATU CEC 24 Committee 21 KwaZulu natal PSSC 19 COSATU CEC 23 Limpopo Gender Conf. 21 25 COSATU CEC 22 Central Committee 20 24 COSATU CEC 22 WED THUR 21 Affiliates Induction 25 25 22 COCC Meeting 20 24 Limpopo Gender Conf. 22 NEDCOM 26 23 21 Media Forum NGC 25 23 THUR NEDCOM Trade/Indust. Policy Forum FRI 22 Affiliates Induction 26 26 23 Campaigns Committee 21 25 Limpopo Gender Conf. 23 Media Forum 27 24 Heritage Day 22 NGC 26 24 FRI SAT 23 27 27 24 22 26 24 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 28 25 23 27 25 Christmas Day SAT

SUN 24 28 28 25 23 27 25 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 29 26 24 28 26 Day of Goodwill SUN

Secretariat International Day MON 25 Secretariat 29 Secretariat 26 24 28 Secretariat 26 NC Prov. Gender. Conf. 30 27 Secretariat 25 Secretariat 29 of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 27 Day of Goodwill observed MON Africa Day Eastern Cape Gender Conf. NC Prov. Gender. Conf. TUE 26 NOB 30 NOB 27 Freedom Day 25 Gauteng PEC 29 27 MPUMALANGA Prov. Gender Conf. 31 28 NOB 26 NOB 30 NOB 28 TUE MPUMALANGA Kholekile Sipunzi: NUM GS Eastern Cape Gender Conf.Conf. WED 27 31 NEDCOM 28 CHB Launch 26 30 28 Prov. Gender. Conf. 29 NEDCOM 27 29 WED CHB Launch Free State PEC MPUMALANGA THUR 28 29 27 NC PEC 29 Provincial Gender Conference 30 28 30 THUR Eastern Cape PEC MPUMALANGA CHB Launch Health Committee Meeting New Year’s Eve FRI 29 30 28 KwaZulu Natal PEC 30 Provincial Gender Conference 29 31 FRI SAT 30 29 31 30 SAT SUN 31 Labour School 30 31 SUN

Affiliates Contact Details 39 CEPPWAWU: [email protected] CWU: 011 720 0360/0131, [email protected]; [email protected] DENOSA: 012 343 2315; [email protected]; [email protected] LIMUSA: 011 339 2869; [email protected] NEHAWU: 011 833 2902; [email protected] NUM: 011 377 2002/2091, [email protected]

Koena Ramatlou: Samwu GS PAWUSA: 021 424 2055/1405; [email protected]; [email protected] POPCRU: 011 242 4600; [email protected] SACCAWU: 011 403 0852/8333; [email protected] SACTWU: 021 447 4570; [email protected] SADTU: 011 971 2000, [email protected]; [email protected] SAEPU: 076 478 1064; [email protected] SASBO: 011 467 0192/3/4, [email protected]; [email protected] SAMA: 012 481 2000; [email protected] SAMWU: 011 100 2602; [email protected] SATAWU: 011 403 2077; [email protected] Shereno Printers: 087 941 4100

Poem COSATU 35th Anniversary Subscribe to Subscriber contact details Surname ......

The Shopsteward Name ......

'Joina' Designation ...... THE SHOPSTEWARD is a unique magazine. Most newspapers Company ...... and magazine owned by millionaires and reflect the outlook of the rich and powerful. The Shopsteward is produced by Address ...... COSATU and gives the workers a point of view on the big issues Country ...... Nobu ngaye Migodini - ezi Tsimbini Nobu ngaye maPoliseni - eMiqhaphini in the workplace, the community, politics and the world. Why not Tel ...... Zofiku COSATU ekhona - bayamazi Zofiku COSATU ekhona - bayamazi make sure you get issues by subscribing? Fax ...... Nobu ngaye zibhedle - ezi Kolweni Nobu ngaye zlFama - nasezi bhakini Cell ...... Zofiku COSATU ekhona - bayamazi Zofiku COSATU - bayamazi Shopsteward Subscription Email ...... Nobu ngaya koma Bona kude - nase Mabaleni Born I was in December 1985 COSATU’s website offers Zofiku COSATU - bayamazi an option to download Payment options I came into being in the heat of action Nobu ngaye Parliamente - nasema khitshini the subscription form from Cheque Enclosed, payable to COSATU Driven by unity of purpose and cohesion there, you can print it out Zofiku COSATU ekhona - bayamazi and resend it back to us. Baptized in the heartland of brutality and pain Direct transfer: www.cosatu.org.za Banking details: One Industry Nobu ngaye kooMasipala - kooMbombela Name of Account: COSATU CEC One Union Bank: First National Bank Zofiku COSATU - bayamazi One Country, One Federation Branch code: 255005 Nobu ngaye ziVenkileni - eziKhemest Account number: 62345348644 An injury to one, is an injury to all Account type: Current Zofik COSATU ekhona - bayamazi Organize or Starve Subscription rates Please put in reference: SSJ & Your name These were days of apartheid state emergency The cost of six issues is Name of credit card Visa Mastercard Venserumos South Africa Foreign subscription These were days when security was chasing Is the banner of the day dawn! Workers and students R45 Airmail Card Number Kubo kubo Salaried employees R55 Southern Africa R290 Nobu ngaye Eastern Cape - Western Cape... CBO’s and NGO’s R80 Other countries R310 The days when UDF and COSAS were banned Joyina joyin uCOSATU Institutions R80 Surface mail CVC (Last 3 digits on the reverse side) Elija Barayi gave PW Botha six months to pack Companies R90 All countries R180 Joya joyin ivili lomzabalazo and go Expiry date ...... / ......

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Poem was submitted by SAMWU member, Workers’ Educator, Comrade Thobile Please post, fax or email proof of payment to Maso. And we acknowledge his contributions on workers’ poems over the years. COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein P.O. Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000 or Fax to +27 (0) 11 339 5080/6940 OR EmaiL [email protected] 40 For Subscriptions and Distribution please contact [email protected] or Tel: +27 (0) 11 339 4911

Subscribe to Subscriber contact details Surname ......

The Shopsteward Name ......

Designation ...... THE SHOPSTEWARD is a unique magazine. Most newspapers Company ...... and magazine owned by millionaires and reflect the outlook of the rich and powerful. The Shopsteward is produced by Address ...... COSATU and gives the workers a point of view on the big issues Country ...... in the workplace, the community, politics and the world. Why not Tel ...... make sure you get issues by

subscribing? Fax ......

Cell ......

Shopsteward Subscription Email ...... COSATU’s website offers an option to download Payment options

the subscription form from Cheque Enclosed, payable to COSATU there, you can print it out and resend it back to us. Direct transfer: www.cosatu.org.za Banking details: Name of Account: COSATU CEC Bank: First National Bank Branch code: 255005 Account number: 62345348644 Account type: Current Subscription rates Please put in reference: SSJ & Your name The cost of six issues is Name of credit card Visa Mastercard South Africa Foreign subscription Workers and students R45 Airmail Card Number Salaried employees R55 Southern Africa R290 CBO’s and NGO’s R80 Other countries R310 Institutions R80 Surface mail CVC (Last 3 digits on the reverse side) Companies R90 All countries R180

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Please post, fax or email proof of payment to COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein P.O. Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000 or Fax to +27 (0) 11 339 5080/6940 OR EmaiL [email protected] 41 For Subscriptions and Distribution please contact [email protected] or Tel: +27 (0) 11 339 4911