Taking COSATU Today Forward, 1 July 2025 #MandelaDay
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 022 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Our side of the story
1 July 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SAMWU update on City of Tshwane CCMA Section 150
- SAEPU strongly condemns violent assault on Emergency Responders in North West
- DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
- South Africa
- COSATU hails NEHAWU for reaching its 38th anniversary milestone
- NUM's new leadership ready to confront worker challenges and grow union strength
- COSATU welcomes excellent progress in rolling out the long sought Two-Pot Pension Reforms
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Fighting for fair pay: South Asian unionists trained by IndustriALL
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
SAMWU update on City of Tshwane CCMA Section 150
Donald Monakisi, SAMWU Tshwane Regional Secretary, 30 June 2025
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) and the City of Tshwane convened under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on 23 June 2025, to engage on the process towards the finalisation of the long-outstanding 3.5% salary increase for municipal workers. This engagement follows a ruling by Judge Snyman, who ordered that the City of Tshwane’s 2021/22 application for exemption from implementing the 3.5% increase be remitted to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) for a fresh hearing.
The SALGBC has scheduled the exemption hearing for 21 July 2025. In anticipation of this, the parties recognised the need for prior engagements aimed at narrowing the issues in dispute and exploring the possibility of reaching a settlement, which could subsequently be formalised as an award of the Bargaining Council. To this end, two meetings were held between SAMWU and the City of Tshwane on 10 June and 23 June 2025 respectively. While consensus could not be reached during these initial engagements, both parties agreed on the importance of continued dialogue prior to the scheduled hearing. SAMWU remains committed to these engagements in the hope of securing an amicable resolution in the best interest of workers.
The Union remains relentless in its position that the 3.5% salary increase, owed to workers since 2021, must be honoured. The prolonged delay in payment has imposed significant financial strain on municipal workers, who continue to provide essential services under increasingly difficult conditions. In this regard, SAMWU’s legal team is diligently preparing for the exemption hearing, with the aim of securing a just outcome for our members.
Additionally, members are advised that SAMWU has formally lodged an appeal against Judge Snyman’s ruling on the 5.4% salary increase matter. We await the allocation of a date by the Labour Appeal Court in this regard.
It must be emphasised that the City of Tshwane is on record confirming the availability of funds to honour its obligations to employees. Given the acute financial pressures facing workers, SAMWU calls on the City to act with integrity and urgency by prioritising the well-being of its workforce. Our members have carried the burden of austerity for far too long it is time the City of Tshwane does right by them.
The Union will continue to update its members on the developments of this CCMA intervention.
Issued by SAMWU Tshwane Region
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DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Dear Comrades,
You’re cordially invited to DITSELA’s National Siyakhuluma Seminar.
Topic: Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Date: 08th July 2025
Time: 11H00AM- 13H00PM
Venue: ZOOM
https://ditsela-org-za.zoom.us/j/94152009081...
Meeting ID: 941 5200 9081
Passcode: 620707
Contact: nele...@ditsela.org.za or ma...@ditsela.org.za for any enquiries.
See you there!
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SAEPU strongly condemns violent assault on Emergency Responders in North West
Mpho Mpogeng, SAEPU President, 30 June 2025
The South Emergency Personnel’s Union is saddened by a disturbing incident that occurred on the 28th of June 2025 at 17h00 in Bloemhof (North West) where two emergency personnel were brutally attacked while responding to a call for medical assistance.
Our dedicated personnel responded to a distressing call from a family member requesting urgent medical attention for a 62 years old woman experiencing difficulty breathing. Upon arrival, our personnel were met with aggression and violence by a young adult male at the scene. Despite the patient’s critical condition, the perpetrator attacked our personnel without provocation leaving them traumatised and shaken.
This incident unfolded with the male personnel being first assaulted with fists and the brutally attacked with a heavy metal tool on the chest. The female personnel were also assaulted and subjected to humiliating treatment, being forced to eat bread against her will. Miraculously, both personnel managed to escape the scene and phoned the police for help. The police arrived at the scene and arrested the perpetrator.
What’s even more alarming is that the personnel were forced to prioritize their patient’s care despite the ongoing threat to their own lives. They had to provide medical assistance in the presence of the police, who had to intervene to ensure their safety. This unacceptable situation highlights the growing risks faced by emergency responders in their line of duty.
The perpetrator appeared in court today, we demand justice to be served swiftly and decisively to prevent such incidents in the future. We urge the community members to respect and appreciate the critical role emergency personnel play in saving lives.
Furthermore, we call upon the employer to arrange immediate counselling and support for the affected personnel to help them cope with the trauma.
END.
COSATU hails NEHAWU for reaching its 38th anniversary milestone
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 30 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates its vibrant affiliate, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) for its impressive 38 years of servicing workers. Since its formation on 27 June 1987, the union has given true meaning to trade unionism that extends beyond workplace struggles, highlighting the impact of poverty on citizens.
Over the years NEHAWU has demonstrated resilience in advancing the rights of workers.
Recently it triumphed in the court battle for the recognition and permanent absorption of over 50 000 community healthcare workers, an historic gain not only for the affected workers, but also for the Federation.
These workers bore the brunt of an abusive system, from 2010 being kept in recurring fixed contracts while contributing hugely to improving access to healthcare and encouraging healthy behaviour in vulnerable communities. In the course of the court battle, NEHAWU also addressed the vast shortages of personnel in the healthcare system.
Due to government’s austerity measures, various government departments became strained, impacting on the provision of decent working conditions and quality services.
COSATU commends NEHAWU for its continued resistance of budget cuts, condemning staff shortages which in turn overstretch existing personnel. Despite painful austerity budget cuts, NEHAWU has stood firm in defence of Community Health Workers.
As a militant union, its members can fully rely on its ability to remain their beacon of hope.
COSATU does not doubt that NEHAWU will continue to strengthen workplace organisation to defend collective bargaining, deepen class consciousness and advance internationalism for another 38 years and beyond.
The Federation is proud of the sterling defence NEHAWU amongst other affiliates have played in support of the National Health Insurance and the broader transformation journey.
Long live NEHAWU, Long Live!
Issued by COSATU
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NUM's new leadership ready to confront worker challenges and grow union strength
Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 30 June 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 18th National Elective Congress, held from June 24th to 26th, 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg. Under the powerful theme, "The Epoch for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat, Now or Never,” the Congress solidified the union's commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of its members.
The three-day event was a crucial forum for robust debate on the significant challenges facing workers across South Africa, alongside a critical examination of the nation's political and economic landscape.
The NUM firmly believes that the ongoing struggle for workers' rights is inextricably linked to the broader struggle for justice and prosperity within all communities.
The Congress culminated in the election of a dynamic new leadership team:
• President: Phillip Vilakazi
• Deputy President: Olehile Kgware
• General Secretary: Mpho Phakedi
• Deputy General Secretary: Phillip Mankge
• Treasurer General: Hellen Diatile
• National Chairperson of Education: Muzikayise Zakwe
• National Secretary of Education: Lefty Mashego
• National Chairperson of Health and Safety: Duncan Luvuno
• National Secretary of Health and Safety: Masibulele Naki
The NUM acknowledges the severe turbulence impacting the sectors in which it organizes, particularly the mining sector, which continues to face massive job losses. It is infuriating to witness companies practicing questionable processes, often failing to adhere to regulations governing retrenchments, leading to devastating repercussions for workers and their families.
The new leadership is acutely aware of these challenges and prepared to champion the cause of its members.
In his inspiring closing remarks, newly elected President Phillip Vilakazi outlined a clear vision for the union's future. He declared that the first 100 days of the collective leadership will be pivotal, with a strong commitment to directly engage with members. "Our target is to bring back this mighty NUM to its glorious position. We want to increase our membership to at least be above the two hundred thousand mark. Our first hundred days in office will be very much busy,” President Vilakazi affirmed, pledging that the new leaders will work tirelessly to visit all NUM branches across the eleven regions to ensure better and more solid service delivery to members.
This newly elected leadership is poised to reinvigorate the NUM, strengthen its advocacy, and fiercely protect the interests of South African workers.
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COSATU welcomes excellent progress in rolling out the long sought Two-Pot Pension Reforms
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 30 June 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the excellent progress rolling out the long sought Two-Pot Pension Reforms since 1 September last year. We have been heartened by the response of workers to these progressive reforms with millions submitting their applications for relief from their pension and provident funds.
We are pleased that over R57 billion has been paid to more than 3.5 million workers.
These pension fund reforms are amongst the most transformational since the democratic breakthrough of 1994. Funds reported unprecedented numbers of calls and applications from workers. Whilst some funds’ systems were initially overwhelmed, most coped well with COSATU and its Affiliates intervening where workers experienced challenges.
COSATU has been deeply angered by over 7700 employers who through this process of providing relief to workers, have been exposed for having failed to pay workers’ pension contributions. The largest numbers of such cases have been reported in the municipal, security and cleaning sectors. This is fraud and theft and must be dealt with by law enforcement.
COSATU with Treasury and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority continues to intervene with such delinquent employers to ensure this criminality is dealt with.
Whilst welcoming the relief the Two-Pot Pension Reforms and the 10% up to R30 000 are bringing to millions of workers, as well as access to a third of future savings when in need, COSATU has submitted proposals for the next round of reforms to Treasury and Parliament to provide further relief to workers and their families.
These include granting access to additional relief for workers from their vested pot savings, reducing the tax burden on low-income workers, ensuring workers retain full access to all their savings when losing their jobs, enabling workers to use their pension funds for education loans, and setting caps on fees funds can charge members.
The Federation appreciates that whilst we were not able to achieve all of our demands in the first round of pension fund reforms, workers are for the first time able to access a portion of their savings without having to resign from their jobs or cash out their entire savings.
Simultaneously whilst workers are able to access relief once a tax year, higher rates of savings will be achieved in the long term as workers will now have an alternative to resignations and depleting all of their funds.
COSATU applauds the steadfast support we received from our allies, the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party, in government and Parliament during these processes.
These hard-won reforms are the first step of a journey to place workers’ needs at the centre of this discussion and to ensure pension and provident funds support workers during their careers and in retirement.
As with any transformational change improving the lives of millions, there will be challenges and no shortage of confusion on social media. These will dissipate as these reforms reach millions of struggling and highly indebted workers.
COSATU will continue to engage Treasury, Parliament and pension funds to ensure workers’ needs are addressed.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
Fighting for fair pay: South Asian unionists trained by IndustriALL
30 June, 202
5On 25–26 June, IndustriALL Global Union held a training workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, for its South Asian affiliates, focused on the pay equity modules launched earlier this year. More than 20 unionists participated in the event, which aimed to strengthen the capacity of unions’ wage bargaining teams and the women’s committee members to address issues related to pay equity and the value of work.
The workshop began with a reaffirmation of IndustriALL NO EXCUSE policy on gender-based violence, misogyny and sexism. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, including a power walk activity, to explore intersectional power dynamics. The training focused on advancing equal pay for work of equal value, tackling gender pay gaps and promoting inclusive collective bargaining practices.
Key modules covered during the workshop included:
- Pay transparency and gender pay gap reporting: How to calculate a gender pay gap? What to report on? What can unions do to promote gender pay gap reporting
- Gender neutral job evaluation: How are skills, held by women, undervalued or overlooked? How to compare the value of two different jobs? How to avoid gender biases in the establishment of jobs evaluation and classification?
- Campaigning for living wages: How to campaign and bargain for living wages and ending women’s low pay?
During the workshop, participants analyzed how workplace power structures affect women and gender diverse groups, contributing to pay inequity. Definitions and concepts such as pay equity, equal pay for equal work and equal pay for work of equal value and the gender pay gap were explored through group activities and discussion. Presentations on national legislation regarding equal pay in South Asia helped participants understand their legal frameworks and gaps. Hands-on activities highlighted how traditional job assessments undervalue women’s roles and the need to promote fairer and bias-free evaluation systems. Participants learned about how pay transparency can expose as well as address gender pay gap.
Strategies for campaigning for better wages, especially in female-dominated sectors, were also discussed. Participants developed action plans for advancing pay equity in their sectors, including conducting gender pay gap audits in workplaces where women are predominant and reporting on it, promoting women’s inclusion in decision-making processes and negotiations and ensuring equity-focused collective bargaining in their workplaces.
Armelle Seby, IndustriALL gender director, said:
“The training aimed at equipping our unions with tools and strategies to advocate for pay equity in their unions and workplaces and to push for real change at the bargaining table. It is part of IndustriALL’s commitment to advance gender equality and promote inclusion in workplaces and among affiliates.”
IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Ashutosh Bhattacharya, said:
“Pay equity is not just a women’s issue, it is a trade union priority. Our strategy aims to strengthen unions’ understanding of the gender-based wage gap and equip them with practical tools to advocate effectively for pay equity in the workplace. We must take action by empowering our affiliates’ concrete strategies, we ensure they are prepared to drive real and lasting change at the bargaining table.”
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Norman Mampane (Shopsteward Editor)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, 2017
P.O.Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 Direct line: 010 219-1348