Taking COSATU Today Forward, 27 June 2025 #HappyBirthdayNEHAWU
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #HappyBirthdayNEHAWU, says #Cosatu #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
27 June 2025
“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!
- SAMWU condemns Rand Water's despicable betrayal of workers
- South Africa
- Proud of Our History, Confident of Our Future – NEHAWU 38th Anniversary
- Statement of the ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour on the strategic plans and the annual performance plans of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Standing together against attacks on disabled workers in the UK
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
SAMWU condemns Rand Water's despicable betrayal of workers
Dumisane Magagula, SAMWU General Secretary, 26 June 2025
The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) expresses its profound disgust and outright condemnation of Rand Water's audacious decision to renege on the recently concluded salary and wage collective agreement. Just yesterday, June 25, 2025, after extensive negotiations within the Amanzi Bargaining Council, a binding agreement was reached, promising a well-deserved 7% salary increase for dedicated workers in the water sector.
It is an absolute affront to collective bargaining and a slap in the face to every worker that, a mere day after this agreement was signed, Rand Water management had the audacity to issue a memo declaring their intention to disregard it entirely. This move is nothing short of a direct provocation to the thousands of workers who have, year after year, tirelessly served Rand Water with unquestionable dedication, ensuring the continuous supply of vital water to municipalities and industries throughout Gauteng province.
Throughout the negotiation process, Rand Water's own representatives repeatedly boasted about the entity's financial robustness and strong economic standing. For a party to participate in negotiations from start to finish, only to then insult its workforce in such a blatant manner, is an act of unparalleled contempt.
This demonstrates a shocking lack of integrity and an utter disregard for the very people who are the backbone of their operations.
This arbitrary decision by Rand Water is not just a breach of contract, it is a profound act of disrespect to the entire labour movement and undermines the very principles of fair negotiation.
It sends a chilling message that agreements can be discarded on a whim, eroding trust and stability within the workplace. We will not allow Rand Water to set such a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes the hard-won rights of workers across all sectors.
SAMWU will not stand idly by and allow Rand Water to strip workers of this hard-won gain. We reassure our members at Rand Water that we will activate our legal team immediately to prepare a robust challenge against this illogical and legally indefensible attempt at exemption.
We remain convinced, based on Rand Water's own assurances during negotiations, that the entity possesses the financial muscle to honour this agreement.
This fight has just begun, and Rand Water will be held accountable for its shameful actions.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Proud of Our History, Confident of Our Future – NEHAWU 38th Anniversary
Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, Friday June 27, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] celebrates its 38th anniversary since its formation on the 27th June 1987.
Indeed, we are proud of our history, confident of our future as a beacon of hope for workers in their unwavering struggle to transform the workplace and the broader society.
The union was established at the height of the liberation struggle out of the merger of three unions namely; the South African Allied Workers’ Union [SAAWU], Health and Allied Workers’ Union [HAWU] and General and Allied Workers’ Union [GAWU], who responded to the clarion principle call of the Congress of South African Trade Unions [COSATU] of “One industry, One federation”.
Indeed, the union has stood the test of time and continues to grow from strength to strength, having been once regarded as a project of the COSATU with a membership of 5 000 members, but to date it’s one of biggest, militant and radical affiliate of the federation, COSATU and this we owe to our forbearers.
Our 38th anniversary occurs against the background of significant developments that are taking place internationally and domestically which indicate that the balance of class forces is heavily stacked against the working class and in favour of the ruling capitalist class. It is the working people and the working class in general that has been subjected to suffocation, pains and miseries as a result of the barbaric capitalist system.
Our anniversary takes place a day after the nation had commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a revolutionary document that enshrines the popular aspirations as it gives expression to the people’s socioeconomic demands, political rights and principles upon which a democratic system of governance would be built as part of an overarching vision for the immediate outcome of the national liberation struggle.
It’s rather unfortunate that we celebrate these historic milestones amidst the current socioeconomic crisis of unemployment, poverty and inequality confronting our country, which are as a result of the implementation of neoliberal policy trajectory and the imposition of austerity programme.
The current crisis confronting our country is an opportune moment for our union and revolutionary forces to lead and provide a strategic wayforward out of this quagmire.
As radical and militant trade union, we have been a vehicle to take forward the struggle of workers and the working-class in general by championing their interests and aspirations. This is largely informed by the character of our union that is rooted in the traditions of political/ community trade unionism that links workplace struggles and broader struggles of the working class in society.
Indeed, we are proud of our history and confident of our future. We proudly declare that NEHAWU will continue being a campaigning, fighting and militant union for the transformation of society.
We will continue leading workplace struggles, waging a struggle to defend the rights of workers and collective bargaining.
Happy Birthday NEHAWU!!!
Long Live NEHAWU!!!
Amandla!!!
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
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Statement
of the ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour on the strategic plans and the annual performance plans of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund
26 June 2025
The ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour received briefings on the strategic plans and the annual performance plans on the UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) and the Compensation Fund (CF). We believe these are explicitly aligned with South Africa’s socio-economic
priorities articulated in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the broader ANC policy framework.
The
UIF’s interventions, including support for the unemployed and employment retention schemes like TERS (Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme), directly contribute to these priorities by providing income support to vulnerable workers and minimizing layoffs
during economic downturns (such the recent intervention in SAPO and AMSA), thus promoting stability and resilience in the labor market.
We
recognise that the UIF’s strategic objectives aim to promote economic participation and skills development, which align with the ANC’s manifesto promises of advancing youth employment and supporting small businesses. On 02 June 2025, over 200, 000 young people
were placed in various schools as part of the Basic Educational Employment initiative that is funded by the UIF. We note that these interventions serve to reduce poverty and inequality while bolstering a productive workforce, reflecting the ANC’s emphasis
on social justice and economic empowerment.
The
Compensation Fund’s strategic plan closely mirrors these national priorities, focusing on improving social security, accelerating claims processing, and strengthening occupational health and safety. We are encouraged by the Fund’s efforts, in particular, to
reduce claim adjudication times and improve benefit payments which support our commitment to social protection and alleviating the high cost of living for vulnerable workers. The Fund’s focus on occupational rehabilitation and injury prevention contributes
to safer workplaces, which are critical for maintaining employment levels which are a core component of the economic growth agenda.
The
governance reforms which the UIF and CF are implementing, for instance, the performance management systems, and capacity-building initiatives, ensures service delivery excellence and transparency. These efforts resonate with the ANC policy position of strengthening
institutions to deliver effective public services, reduce corruption, and foster accountability, essential for sustainable development and public trust.
Furthermore,
the integrated approach of the two funds in supporting unemployment relief, social security, and occupational safety are important for a broader social protection framework. Their interventions complement the work of other social delivery agencies, ensuring
a comprehensive safety net that addresses poverty reduction, social integration, and skills development, all priorities outlined in the ANC manifesto. This synergy reinforces the government’s commitment to fostering a more equitable society where social security
underpins economic growth.
We
believe that the strategic plans and APPs of the two funds exemplify a strategic commitment to advancing the SONA’s priorities. Through targeted programs that support job retention, social protection, safety, and institutional strengthening, these entities
are essential drivers of South Africa’s socio-economic transformation. Their interventions embody the government’s vision for a resilient, inclusive, and equitable society built on sustainable economic growth, social justice, and effective governance.
Issued
by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour, Cde Mncedisi Nontsele
For
enquiries, please contact:
Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer
+27 64 147 3276
International-Solidarity
Standing together against attacks on disabled workers in the UK
Equity and inclusion, 25 June 2025written by:
Against a backdrop of increasing cuts and attacks to vital support for disabled people, NASUWT is continuing to be part of the fight back to ensure disabled teachers can live and work with dignity.
We have been working with sister unions and campaigners against the Government’s planned cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and delays in the Access to Work scheme, which is designed to support people with disabilities in the workplace.
The impact of both was highlighted at our recent Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference, with Kat Downs and Lara Morris, members of our Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee, sharing estimates that around three million people may be affected by planned reforms to PIP.
Members described their fears, with one commenting “I am concerned I am going to lose access to PIP- if I lose that I am going to lose my independence and I may not be able to work full time.”
Matt Wrack, our Acting General Secretary, addressed the cuts in his speech to the conference, arguing disabled people are being targeted. He said: “We see an attack on disabled people by successive governments. I am always a bit cynical when governments say there is no money for welfare payments, but we know there is always money to be found for some things, such as the bailout of the banks in 2008, for example.”
Speaking on the same day as the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster, Mr Wrack pointed out that 41% of those who lived in the tower with disabilities died. He suggested this was emblematic of the continued discrimination and inequality facing disabled people and pointed out that the successive governments have refused to take forward recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans which set out how people with assistance needs can be evacuated from buildings in the event of an emergency.
Members attending the event in Birmingham shared the continuing challenges they face in obtaining reasonable adjustments in their workplaces, along with the assumptions and negative attitudes they face from colleagues, pupils and parents. The event focused on offering members solidarity, practical advice and help to overcome these barriers. Members were able to access help from our Legal team as well as take part in practical workshops exploring their rights at work.
Gilroy Brown, led a session on challenging the barriers to leadership for disabled teachers, where members were encouraged to think about strategies, considering how their school could ensure disabled teachers have the same opportunities as non-disabled colleagues through the provision of action such as mentoring schemes, training and access to accessible continuous professional development.
There was agreement that school leaders need to be made aware that there is a benefit to schools in making accessibility adjustments, as it will help recruitment and retention of staff.
As Mr Brown put it: “If your school doesn’t see your value, it may be time to leave the school and find one that does. A key part of your power is your choice. Because there are schools that are better. We either stand and fight or we continue to let the world define us.”
______________________________
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