Taking COSATU Today Forward, 10 March 2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #EqualPay #GenderEquality #Cosatu40 #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
10 March 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Media Accreditation: SAMWU 13th National Congress
- COSATU will present its submission on the Budget's Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals to Parliament on Tuesday, 10 March 2026
- South Africa
- Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga leads South African delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- ArcelorMittal Shelby strike passes 40 days
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Today, COSATU will present its submission on the Budget's Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals to Parliament
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 09 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will present its submission on the 2026/27 Budget’s Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals to Parliament’s Standing and Select Committees: Finance from 09:00 on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 (virtual platform).
Issued by COSATU
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Media
Accreditation: SAMWU 13th National Congress
Papikie Mohale, SAMWU National Media Officer, 09 March 2026
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) will convene its 13th National Congress from 17 to 19 March 2026 at Church Unlimited, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
Held under the theme “Towards Four Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests,”
the Congress marks an important milestone as the Union reflects on nearly forty years of militant struggle, organisational consolidation, and its unwavering defence of municipal and water sector workers.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the open sessions of Congress scheduled for 17 and 19 March 2026. Media houses wishing to cover the Congress are requested to apply for accreditation no later than 13 March 2026.
The Congress is expected to receive messages of support and addresses from the following leaders:
· COSATU General Secretary, Cde Solly Phetoe
· SACP General Secretary, Cde Solly Mapaila
· ANC Secretary-General, Cde Fikile Mbalula
· Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, H.E. Dickson Masemola
· SALGA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sithole Mbanga
· Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, H.E. Jomo Sibiya
These addresses will engage the political, economic, and social challenges confronting workers and outline the programme required to defend and advance working-class interests. The 13th National Congress will deliberate on key organisational, political, and
collective bargaining matters, including strategies to strengthen the Union and respond decisively to the deepening crisis in local government.
Members of the media are encouraged to confirm their attendance with the National Media Officer, Cde Papikie Mohale, via email at
pap...@samwu.org.za
in order to secure accreditation by 13 March 2026.
Please note that only accredited members of the media will be granted access to the Congress venue.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Papikie Mohale
National Media Officer
076 795 8670
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga leads South African delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
09 Mar 2026
The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is leading the South African delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session brings together global leaders, policymakers and civil society to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
South Africa will use this platform to advocate for full and equal access to justice for all women and girls, the elimination of discriminatory laws and practices, and strengthened global cooperation to end gender-based violence and structural inequality.
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DAY ONE |
MINISTERIAL ITINERARY |
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Monday 09 March 2026
Time 09:00-19:00 |
Attend the CSW70Opening Ceremony Celebration of International Women's Day 2026. Delivery of the Statement on Behalf of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) as the minister responsible for Gender and Women’s Affairs, and on behalf of SADC Member States. Bilateral Meeting With Ministry of Women Brazil Delivery of the South African national statement |
At CSW70, South Africa will advocate for the promotion of multilateralism, stronger accountability, greater investment in women’s empowerment, increased access to justice for women and girls, and the meaningful inclusion of young, rural-based and disabled women in decision-making, especially previously disadvantaged women.
Cassius Selala, Head of Communications, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, at 060 534 0672
Issued by Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
International-Solidarity
International Women’s Day: Women educate the world and power our unions
Equity and inclusion Advancing gender equality in and through education, 8 March 2026
This International Women’s Day and every day, Education International reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the fundamental rights of women and girls in all their diversity.
Read the statement from incoming Education International Deputy General Secretary, Cassandra Hallet:
As a global education union movement, we defend the labour rights of the women who power education systems everywhere. We defend girls’ fundamental right to quality education. And we advocate for gender equity in all aspects of life around the world.
Gender justice is at the heart of our mission because most education workers are women. Women educate the world and women power our unions.
When austerity policies hurt education workers, it is women they hurt. When governments do not involve teachers in policy making, it is women’s expertise they ignore. And when privatization limits access to education, it is most often girls who are denied their right to reach their full potential.
Across the world, Education International is mobilising and organising for change.
Education unions everywhere are rallying to our Go Public! Fund Education campaign to demand that governments invest more in education and in teachers. The campaign is making a difference for our unions, our professions and our students.
This September, women education unionists from all around the globe will come together in Brazil for the 5th Education International World Women’s Conference. We will draw strength from our solidarity and rise together for gender justice.
Colleagues, our fight for women’s rights cannot be separated from our fight for free quality public education for all and for a well-paid, respected, and valued education workforce.
So – on this International Women's Day and everyday - let’s stand together, uplift women, and demand that governments everywhere go public and fully fund education.
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ArcelorMittal Shelby strike passes 40 days
A steelworker when casting draining metal from a cupola furnace.
4 March, 2026
ArcelorMittal steelworkers in Shelby, Ohio, have been on strike for over 40 days, with around 450 members of IndustriALL affiliate, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 3057 demanding a fair contract that protects working conditions, schedules and health care.
The strike began at 11:59 p.m. on 13 January after negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Bargaining had started on 2 September last year, but talks stalled, with the last meeting between the company and the union taking place on 28 January. Since then, no further negotiations have been scheduled.
According to USW International representative Steve Ackerman, this is the longest strike in the history of Local 3057, already surpassing a 2021 dispute that lasted 11 days and concluded with a four-year agreement.
Workers hold the line
From the first hours of the strike, workers have maintained a visible and determined presence outside the Shelby plant along West Main Street. Braving winter temperatures, union members have walked the picket line daily, holding signs, waving to passing motorists and gathering around burn barrels to keep warm.
While on strike, workers in the bargaining unit have forfeited their pay and their health insurance benefits were halted at the end of January. Despite these pressures, the union says solidarity on the picket line and support from the local community have remained strong.
“It is overwhelming to see the support USW Local 3057 is getting from the community It is a shame to see such a good group of hard workers fighting for a fair contract. The union is ready and willing to continue bargaining.”
Steve Ackerman said.
Key issues: schedules, language and health care
The union reports that the main sticking points in negotiations include proposed language changes in the contract, work schedule changes and modifications to health care provisions. For workers, these issues go to the heart of job security, work-life balance and access to affordable medical care.
The Shelby facility is ArcelorMittal’s largest site in Ohio, with another plant located in Marion. As the strike continues, union representatives warn that prolonged disruption could damage the company’s skilled workforce.
“It’s a shame because they are going to lose valuable employees. They probably already have,” Steve Ackerman said.
Call for meaningful negotiations
USW Local 3057 has reiterated its readiness to return to the bargaining table at any time. The union is calling on ArcelorMittal management to resume negotiations in good faith and reach an agreement that respects workers’ contributions and ensures decent working conditions.
For the striking steelworkers in Shelby, the message is clear: after years of producing steel and sustaining the local economy, they are standing united for a contract that reflects their dignity, experience and commitment.
IndustriALL base metals director, Alexander Ivanou, said:
“The determination of the steelworkers in Shelby shows what solidarity truly means. These workers are standing up not only for fair schedules and decent health care, but for dignity and respect at work. ArcelorMittal must return to the bargaining table in good faith and negotiate an agreement that recognizes the skills, commitment and contribution of its workforce. A sustainable future for the plant depends on a fair contract.”
IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, said:
“A prolonged suspension of collective bargaining at a major facility of a global company such as ArcelorMittal raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of social dialogue and industrial relations governance within the group. Respect for collective bargaining and freedom of association are fundamental international labour standards and essential pillars of stable and responsible industrial relations. ArcelorMittal should resume meaningful negotiations in good faith without delay and work toward a fair agreement that recognizes the skills, commitment and contribution of its workforce.”
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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