Taking COSATU Today Forward, 6 November 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY #CosatuFeministSchool underway at Boksburg… #GenderEquality #Cosatu scheduled to hold its 40th Anniversary at Dobsonville, Soweto on December 6 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #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
6 November 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!
- NEHAWU signs wage agreement with NSFAS ending a seven months impasse
- COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
- South Africa
- COSATU welcomes the registration of the taxi drivers’ union
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- High Court orders regularization of 370 SAIL Bokaro workers
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NEHAWU signs wage agreement with NSFAS ending a seven months impasse
Baxolise Mali, NEHAWU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, November 05, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] has ended a seven months long wage impasse at National Students Financial Aid Scheme [NSFAS] after both parties reached an agreement on the 04th November 2025 leading to a signing ceremony on the 05th November 2025 following a strike action in the month of October 2025.
This round of negotiations were not easy, as parties were close to finding each other on issues related to decentralization of offices to Pretoria, job evaluations, housing allowance, insourcing of contractors, long service awards, and salary progression were sticking points which led to a prolonged mediation process.
The agreement reached with NSFAS is as follows:
1. Salary adjustment of 7% across the board for all employees within NSFAS Bargaining Unit (i.e. Level 3 – 12) effective from 01 April 2025;
2. Housing Allowance to be increased by 83.3% which amounts to an increase of R1 000 in rand value. This shall mean an increase from R1200 to R2200, with R1793 of this effective from 01 April 2025 whilst R227 shall be effective from 01 April 2026;
3. Once off Long service awards as follows:
• 5 years of continuous service: R5000
• 10 years of continuous service: R10000
• 15 years of continuous service: R15000
• 20 years of continuous service: R20000
• 25 years of continuous service: R25000
• 30 years of continuous service: R30000
Parties further agreed that these matters must be deferred for further engagements in both National Bargaining Forum, and National Consultative Forum:
• Staff dependent bursary (progress update on policy);
• Early retirement (progress update on policy);
• Hybrid working policy (progress update on policy);
• Threshold for Recognition of new unions;
• Decentralisation (new consultation to ensure workers are not worse off by any movement if it is agreed on); and
• Implementation date for Job Evaluation outcomes upon concurrence being granted.
NEHAWU as a red fighting militant union appreciates the loyalty, and patience of our members during these protracted negotiations. As NEHAWU, we will continue without flinching in
championing the interests of our members and workers at all materials.
We equally want to recognise the DHET team, NSFAS Board, and the NSFAS management for finally appreciating that improvement of conditions of service of workers is a top priority if NSFAS has to meet its obligations. This realisation has led to us agreeing on resetting our relationship with NSFAS management, which we can confirm that it is moving towards the right direction ensuring an environment of sound labour relations at the workplace.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Western Cape Secretariat
____________________
COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40th anniversary
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 25 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set the host a series of lectures in the lead up to its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December.
The culmination of four years of unity talks, COSATU came into being on 1 December 1985, and brought together 33 competing unions and federations opposed to apartheid and whose common goal was to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
The Federation has been at the forefront of advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers since, and has led in the formation of the country’s progressive labour laws including workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, minimum conditions of service, National Minimum Wage, etc.
From its vehement resistance of apartheid to the ushering in of the democratic dispensation and improving the economic and social wellbeing of the working class 31 years post democracy, COSATU has stood the test of time.
In the lead up to its 40th anniversary in December, the Federation will host a variety of activities starting with a series of lectures by its National Office Bearers.
The lectures will tackle diverse subjects from COSATU’s pivotal role in gender struggles to the strike that broke the back of industry-wide exploitative labour practices as far back as 1959.
Province:
North-West
Date:
19 November
Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU
Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President
Province:
Eastern Cape
Date:
20 November
Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance
Main Speaker: Mike Shingange, COSATU 1st Deputy President
Province:
Gauteng
Date:
21 November
Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement
Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President
Issued by COSATU
COSATU welcomes the registration of the taxi drivers’ union
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 05 November 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is proud to welcome a brand-new union into the fold of the progressive trade union movement. The South African Taxi Drivers Workers Union (SATDWU) officially registered with the Registrar of Labour Relations on 3 November.
Having guided and assisted the emerging union through the registration process for nearly a year, COSATU is pleased SATDWU is now free to focus on securing and advancing the rights of the workers within its sector.
Around 15 million South Africans rely on taxis for their daily commute to work, school and recreation. Despite the critical role they play in the country’s transport system, taxi drivers are among the most exploited and vulnerable workers in South Africa. They work incredibly long hours; get up at the crack of dawn to ensure the early risers are transported to work on time; they are also the last to get to bed having ensured that those who work the last shift, like restaurant workers, get home safely.
Added to that are the impossible daily revenue targets employers set for them. Without condoning drivers who violate traffic laws, their exploitative working conditions place many in a very difficult choice as they seek to earn enough money daily to meet their payments to the taxi owners and still have money left over to take care of themselves and their families.
Of particular concern, is the violence that has been a constant feature of the industry. Due to this, taxi drivers risk their lives each time they get behind the wheel. They are also responsible for the lives of their passengers. All these factors culminate in higher-than-normal levels of stress.
Tragically, taxi and bus passengers, bus drivers, traffic officers and other members of society too are often exposed to such violence.
It is these issues and more that SATDWU will have to take up to ensure taxi drivers’ conditions of work are improved. Enforcement of the National Minimum Wage and registration with the Unemployment Insurance and Compensation Funds as well as compliance with all our labour laws are also some of the issues SATDWU would have to follow up on.
COSATU will continue to work closely with SATDWU to achieve this.
The Federation wishes SATDWU great success as it embarks on this all-important endeavour to ensure taxi drivers rights are respected and protected. The Federation pledges its support in every way possible.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
High Court orders regularization of 370 SAIL Bokaro workers
5 November, 2025
In a major win for workers’ rights, the Jharkhand High Court has directed management of the SAIL Bokaro steel plant to regularize 370 long-term contract workers, concluding a legal battle that began in 2006.
The petition, filed by the Jharkhand Krantikari Mazdoor Union (JKMU), affiliated to Unions United, concerned workers employed across key production units of the Bokaro steel plant. Each of the affected workers had been employed for more than seven years.
The union first raised the dispute in 2006, and the Industrial Tribunal ruled in favour of the workers. However, management appealed to the High Court, which has now upheld the earlier decision where the Industrial Tribunal ordered the permanent absorption of the workers, along with full wages and benefits.
Gautam Mody, convenor of Unions United, called the judgment as a “landmark victory for India’s working people.”
“More than 10,000 precarious workers at SAIL’s Bokaro steel plant perform in perennial jobs under hazardous conditions, yet remain denied regular employment, fair wages, and basic protections. Despite repeated recommendations for their regularization, the company continues to exploit them through contractors, suppress union efforts, and perpetuate insecurity and discrimination. This verdict reaffirms that those who build and sustain our industries deserve secure and dignified employment. Our fight against precarious work will continue until every worker wins justice, rights, and a future rooted in dignity and security.”
Said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary:
“This judgment is a powerful affirmation that the workers who have sustained India’s steel industry for decades must not remain precarious. SAIL must uphold dignity, equality and permanent employment for those doing permanent work."
______________________________
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