COSATU Today, 4 April 2012
Patrick Craven
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Our side of the story
Wednesday 4 April 2012
Contents
Workers
Ø Kruger Park management: re-open negotiations with striking workers to amicably resolve dispute!
Ø NUM threatens to expand Modikwa strike to Two Rivers Mine and other Anglo operations
Ø SAMWU will not entertain COSATU leadership speculation
Ø Another racial killing in the North West
Ø SATAWU cautions road users as the Easter Holidays approach
Ø COSATU NW disappointed about poor journalism by City Press
Ø Comrade Julius Malema’s immediate suspension pending disciplinary proceedings
Ø NEHAWU welcomes bold step by ANC leadership against ill-discipline and anarchical tendencies
Ø CWU on opportunistic elements of former and senior SABC managers
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Kruger Park management: re-open negotiations with striking workers to amicably resolve dispute!
Mike Shingange, NEHAWU Provincial Chairperson , 4 April 2012
NEHAWU condemns the reckless and shoddy treatment of striking workers by the management of the Kruger National Park. The park workers embarked on a strike action since the 3rd of February 2012, which is now over two months, in protest against the abnormal and ridiculous salary disparities. This issue of these apartheid wage gaps and differentiation in benefits was first raised with the employer in November 2010, but till today it has not been resolved. This is a key national site and this intransigent conduct by the employer is putting both the wildlife and the tourists at risk.
Amongst their priority complaints is the uneven way that benefits like the night shift allowance are calculated. Workers are angry that some of them are paid as little as R9, 00 a night in allowance while the managers earn as much as R288.00 a night. There are workers who earn as little as R3500.00 while their contemporaries who also happen to do the same job are paid R9800.00.
The Field Rangers who are exposed to the Big Five still get hard done-by when it comes to remuneration despite the fact that recently they have been dealing with a much more ruthless enemy, the poachers. On danger allowance the Field Rangers who are in salary B band get R200.00 while the General workers who are in salary A gets R320.00. Workers are also angry about the lack of transparency and accountability in the park.
The decision to lockout workers out of their work stations by the employer is in contravention of the Labour Relations Act, section 67 Subsection 3(a) and (b) that says the employer should give the workers a 48hours notice with regard to the lockout. We also insist that since the workers are staying within the park the payment in kind should have never been stopped and their lockout amounts to illegal eviction.
Their livelihoods and shelter is being jeopardised by the employer’s actions.
Unfortunately the employer has so far failed to prove to the workers that there is a will and a plan to resolve the strike on their side. This will greatly inconvenience the local and international tourists who are planning to visit the park during the Easter holidays.
Our progressive and militant union has been invited by the workers to intervene and seek a solution with the management. We are calling on the employer to negotiate in good faith by reopening the negotiations in order to resolve the contentious issues amicably and diligently.
It is highly unacceptable and insensitive that the workers can be allowed to go on an indefinite strike in modern South Africa without any intervention from the employer. NEHAWU commits to work 24hrs with the Kruger Park management to find a lasting solution to this dispute.
NUM threatens to expand Modikwa strike to Two Rivers Mine and other Anglo operations
Lesiba Seshoka, NUM National Spokesman, 4 April 2012
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) notes the unfortunate statement issued by African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Angloplatinum on the three week strike action at Modikwa Platinum in Mpumalanga. The company, a joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Anglo-American Platinum (Angloplatinum) issued a statement in which they brag about having withdrawn an offer on the table and having abandoned the talks.
The NUM remains committed to a negotiated settlement with its 12% wage demand and the narrowing of the gap between the high and lower earners within the same bargaining units. The NUM will intensify the strike action at Modikwa and is considering expanding the strike action to both Two Rivers mine and Anglo operations nationally.
The NUM is highly disappointed by the racist attitudes of both ARM and Angloplatinum in refusing to budge to equalize wages or narrow the gap on their racially based salary scales. For years, Modikwa Platinum has refused to budge to treat its black workers as workers.
It is very disappointing that a company co-owned by a black billionaire can treat black workers in such a shoddy manner and uphold the racism which have always existed in a traditionally white monopoly company.
The NUM appeals to its members to remain resolute in tacking the apparent racism head-on.
SAMWU will not entertain COSATU leadership speculation
Tahir Sema, National Media and Publicity Officer, 4 April 2012
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) rejects the way in which the media has and continues to speculate about SAMWU’s support for individuals within our Federation COSATU – ahead of its elective Congress this year. It is not true that the Union has thrown its weight behind any specific individual, ahead of the Federations elective conference in September 2012.
No decision or even discussion has taken place within the Union about COSATU leadership. It is therefore not known were the media speculation is emanating from, or where media organisations are getting the unfounded information from.
SAMWU will wait for the appropriate time in which to discuss COSATU leadership issues. It is also necessary for us to wait to be mandated by our structures before we make any pronouncements.
We reject the speculation not only because the Union has not discussed the issue internally but also because such speculation will unnecessarily cause divisions within our organisation and COSATU and it also has the potential to derail efforts to deepen our working class agenda.
Another racial killing in the North West
Solly Phetoe, COSATU NW Provincial Secretary, 4 April 2012
COSATU in the North West has learned with disappointment of the death of Aubrey Moloi who was shot by a white farmer on 28 March 2012 in the month of human rights.
The police in the North West have reported that the famer had killed a burglar, yet there is no evidence of forced entry in the house and the deceased had no weapon in his possession.
In COSATU’s view this is a continuation of racism in the province, shows that a black life is very cheap and that farm workers do not have any protection from the law.
What is also worrying is that the deceased was only 16 years old which we believe is a school-going age and he should have been at school instead of working in the farms.
As we speak the family is struggling to get hold of the clothes of the deceased and they are sent from pillar to post by the police in Zeerust.
COSATU calls on the police in Zeerust to assist the family to get all the belongings of the deceased and allow them to visit the scene of death to perform the rituals as per their tradition.
COSATU condemns this kind of barbaric action against blacks, in particular farm workers, and calls on the police to do an unbiased investigation into this matter.
This is what we have been saying on matters of non-compliance of farmers. If the department of labour was doing inspections properly and not defending racist farmers we would have known that there was child labour on that the farm where the 16-year-old boy was working before he was killed. No one has the right to kill.
We are calling the provincial commissioner to respond on the conduct of the police and the case must be removed from the Zeerust police.
We call the Human Rights Commission to take up this matter as matter of urgency and that the racist farmer be arrested now.
The farmer is Mr Peens and the families can be reached at 0795507294.
South Africa
SATAWU cautions road users as the Easter Holidays approach
Mamokgethi Rea Molopyane, SATAWU National Spokesperson, 4 April 2012
The South African Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU) acknowledges that while South Africa is notorious for its high accident rate, this is especially true in holiday periods. The expected increase in traffic over the Easter period often results in a higher than usual rate of accidents. We welcome road safety initiatives currently being launched by the Department of Transport, particularly ahead of the Easter holidays.
We call on all passenger operators to check their vehicles for roadworthiness, not to overload and drive for long hours without rest. The Road Traffic Management Corporation ( RTMC) must adopt zero tolerance of reckless Taxis that endanger, not only the lives of the passengers they are transporting, but other road users as well.
We have always advocated the use of two drivers per bus for long distance trips. Through the Bargaining Council, we have put pressure on employers to ensure that they comply with The Human Factor Management Standards which promote healthy lifestyles among transport workers and focuses on the management of human factors, including the perceptual, physical and mental capabilities of people
The same caution is sent to employers in the Road Freight Industry where often workers are required to work ten times as hard because they are paid per load. Satawu is strongly discouraging employers who use such tactics knowing well that their employees have no choice but to work if they want to put bread on the table. One of the biggest causes of road accidents on long-distances is fatigue and loss of concentration. We expect the employer to comply with our requirements that our members must be given enough time to rest.
SATAWU will continue to be a thorn in the side of the Transport Ministry SATAWU for as long as the government fails to retain and introduce adequate measures to ensure that public transport is improved in the national interest. It is quite regrettable the working class are the ones who suffer the most when government fails to provide them with affordable, reliable and safe public transport.
Finally, to the South African public, we encourage drivers to behave in a manner that does not put their lives and others at risk. In order to acquire a driver’s licence one is deemed to understand the rules and regulations of our roads. According to South Africa’s Road Traffic Management Corporation, it is accepted that 95% or more road traffic accidents happen as a direct result of traffic offences or non-compliance with prescribed norms and standards.
We wish all travellers a safe journey. Happy Easter holidays.
COSATU NW disappointed about poor journalism by City Press
Solly Phetoe, COSATU NW Provincial Secretary, 4 April 2012
COSATU in the North West is disturbed by the poor journalism by City Press on the issue of Kopano Ke Maatla and Raubex on the construction of the R21.
COSATU wants to put it into a correct perspective to all the people of South Africa - that when the infrastructure of Gauteng and other World Cup hosting towns were improved, we were told that the funding for such projects will come from the World Cup Benefit Fund and there was nothing about the tolling of the roads.
COSATU wants to also highlight that the SABC has report that in the documents that Raubex received for tendering there is nothing said about the tolling of the roads, information which City Press has chosen to ignore. In our view this is bad journalism, as journalist must find all the facts before going to print and not just print one side.
In COSATU’s view this kind of publication is meant to bad-name COSATU and make it look as if COSATU has double standards.
COSATU has noted with disappointment that the City Press is not saying anything about the use of government employees’ pension funds in the construction of these roads.
COSATU calls on the City Press to retract that article and issue an apology to COSATU and its general secretary who is now personally.
We also want to remind some of us that the fight against the labour brokers and e-tolling is not a Zwelinzima Vavi matter; it is a workers’ matter and based on a congress resolution endorsed by our last Central Committee.
COSATU has always been against the privatisation of the public service and this includes the roads of this country.
As part of that campaign COSATU North West will have a night vigil at the Swartruggens toll gate on 13 April 2012 as a continuation of the struggle, as we have not yet received any response from the Bakwena corridor.
COSATU calls on its members the community and the public at large not to be distracted by this kind of bad publicity but to come out and fight for their rights.
We are told by the Bakwena that as the federation we have no control over the toll gate. He is right. That is why we are fighting for our rights. That is why we demand that the rich must not steal from the poor. Bakwena must be told that they have no right to control our roads; they have no rights to control our money.
Julius Malema’s immediate suspension pending disciplinary proceedings
Derek Hanekom, Chairperson, ANC National Disciplinary Committee, 4 April 2012
At a meeting on 2 April 2012, the NDC decided to suspend comrade Julius Malema’s membership of the ANC with immediate effect in accordance with the provisions of Rule 25.12 (c) of the ANC Constitution.
The NDC considered the nature and seriousness of comrade Malema’s utterance, namely:
“....It is under President Zuma that we have seen the youth of the ANC being traumatised, being expelled from their own home. It is under President Zuma we have seen a critical voice being suppressed We have seen under President Zuma, democracy being replaced with dictatorship. We have seen an intolerance....people, who become impatient with the youth....”, at a meeting held on 30 March 2012 at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and concluded that such utterance could bring the ANC into disrepute as contemplated in Rule 25.5 of the ANC Constitution.
After due consideration, the NDC was satisfied that this utterance constitutes a very serious violation of the ANC Constitution and that the institution of disciplinary action, as provided for in Rule 25.3, and temporary suspension of comrade Malema, in terms of Rule 25.12(c), of the ANC Constitution is warranted.
The NDC also took cognizance of the fact that the said utterance received widespread coverage in the print and electronic media.
Comrade Malema was informed this morning of his immediate temporary suspension and that disciplinary proceedings would be instituted against him by the NDC, and that he would be provided with full details of the charge/s and details of the disciplinary hearings in due course.
In keeping with the principle and spirit of natural justice and to remove any semblance and perception of bias, the members of the NDC who participated in this decision to institute disciplinary action against comrade Malema will recuse themselves and not participate or adjudicate in the pending disciplinary action against him.
The NDC has stipulated the following conditions that comrade Malema will be required to comply with during his suspension:-
- He will not exercise any duty in his capacity as an ANC member, President of the ANC Youth League and/or Member of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC Limpopo Province;
- He will not attend any meeting of the ANC or any of its structures, including the Leagues, except for the purpose of the NDCA hearing and the pending disciplinary proceedings to be instituted against him.
- He will not address any meeting of the ANC or any of its structures, including the Leagues, whether as an invited guest, in his capacity as President of the ANC Youth League and/or as a member of the ANC; and
- He will not make any public statement on any matter pertaining to the ANC.
The temporary and immediate suspension of comrade Malema will come into effect on Wednesday, 4 April 2012.
NEHAWU welcomes bold step by ANC leadership against ill-discipline and anarchical tendencies
Sizwe Pamla, NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer, 4 April 2012
NEHAWU congratulates the ANC top six officials for their bold decision of speaking up against ill discipline and anarchical tendencies that are creeping up in the movement. This is in line with a call by our NEC last week, which urged the ANC and the Alliance leaders to speak with one voice and denounce any attempts by opportunists to use their names to cause divisions.
The African National Congress {ANC} and government must at all times provide political and moral leadership to our society. In this regard, they must act against sleaze and inept leadership across all structures of our movement and government. NEHAWU feels that it is about time that the issue of the ANC Youth League’s leadership disciplinary process is brought to closure so that the movement can focus on national priority issues. The leadership now needs to focus on resolving the triple crisis of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
The President and Deputy President must now focus on steering the implementation of the announced R844.5 billion worth of infrastructure investment by the state over the next three years. We are convinced as an organisation that this will provide immediate relief to the millions of unemployed youths ,through job creation, especially if these investments are coupled with other socioeconomic and spatially transformatory interventions, especially on land reform and socioeconomic services in the former Bantustan areas. In this regard we call on government to implement a massive rural development and land reform program.
We must continue to celebrate the enviable milestone of a 100 year anniversary by our giant liberation movement, the ANC, all around the country. We all need to bring back the spirit of selflessness, discipline and honesty; principles that will ensure that the ANC survives another hundred years.
NEHAWU also welcomes the outcomes of Cosatu/SACP bilateral and we call on both sides to safeguard the unity of our left Axis through continuous engagement.
CWU on opportunistic elements of former and senior SABC managers
Matankana Mothapo, CWU National Spokesperson 4 April 2012
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is disturbed by opportunistic elements of former and senior managers of the South African Broadcasting Cooperation (SABC) on the Sowetan Newspaper of Monday 02 April 2012.
CWU has been consistent about secret agents or moles that are planted by factionalists to destroy the SABC. These people have come out clear on Sowetan article on Monday. Some of these moles or secret agents are conniving with the New Tendency that uses our Public Broadcaster to promote themselves for their factional battles in our movement.
We will not rest or fold our arms when greedy and selfish individuals are trying to destabilise our Public Broadcaster. We have also realised that most of opportunistic people, failures and corrupt individuals are abusing the Office of Public Protector to further their factional battles using the SABC in the name that they want to clear themselves from their corrupt deeds. We urge the office of the Public Protector to be care full of these publicity mongers and attention seekers who are hell bent and chauvinistic. CWU is prepared and ready to defend the SABC.
CWU is very clear or unambiguous on its support for Mr Hlaudi Motsoaneng for the position of the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the SABC without any fear by these moles that are trying to destroy the Public Broadcaster and Mr Motsoaneng his good name. Our support is based on principle and decisiveness of him in the Public Broadcaster. We are happy with him.
Vacancies
Education
Education Secretary
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has a vacant position of Education Secretary in its head office based in Braamfontein – Gauteng
The successful candidate will coordinate and oversee the education and training sphere of COSATU and liaise with the Secretariat on this as based on the organisation’s policy.
Other functions include:
• Coordinate the education department that links to Affiliates, Provincial programmes and the
Federations vision;
• Monitor and setup administration system relevant for the running of the department as may be necessary;
• Coordinate policy and policy development on education for staff/membership/stewards and on
all issues in the education department and to link this to Affiliates and their needs thereof;
• Run and coordinate the education department assisted by the National Educator and the
Administrator as based on a national strategy from NEDCOM and the constitutional policy framework;
• Link and assist Provinces as based on their needs and strategy on the development of education;
• Develop, coordinate, monitor and assist in the implementation of the education programme and
strategy for provinces as linked to the National perspective and education strategy
• Assist and coordinate the development of a framework of education strategy and assist or execute
duties related to production of material for worker/staff education as linked to internal programmes;
• Engage other relevant organizations and forums as based on policy and strategy in implementing this task;
• Liaise on behalf of the Federation with outside bodies on education training matters and policy issues
as mandated, in line with COSATU policy
Requirements:
• Matric plus relevant experience in the areas outlined above, preferably in Trade Union or other Civil Society environment;
• Excellent writing ability and analytical skills;
• Good communication and report writing
• Be computer literate;
• Sound understanding of the trade union environment and sensitivity including the ability to represent the Federation effectively;
• Effective negotiation techniques;
• People management skills
• Understanding of budgetary and financial controls
• Be prepared to work flexible hours when required
• Valid driver’s licensell with detailed CV and contactable references to:
The COSATU Gen
Announcements
Dear Comrades
Please note that due to logistical problems, the Workers’ World Media Productions/COSATU Labour Film Festival has been postponed to the following dates:
Look for the date in your area.
18 – 19 April
6.00pm – 9.00pm
Johannesburg North, NUMSA local office, 2nd Floor, Fortuna Bldg, 729 Fourth Street, Alexandra Township, Johannesburg
4 May
7.00pm-10.00pm
New Hall, Solomon Tshuku Road, Site C; Khayelitsha
9 – 10 May
6.00pm-9.00pm
Community House, 41 Salt River Road, Salt River
22 – 23 May
6.00pm-9.00pm
St George’s Hotel, Portion 58, Old Pretoria – Kempton Park Road, Sunnyside
Please contact Lynn/Christina at 021 447 2727 or Molefe on
011 403 1877 to book your tickets or See website for details: http://wwmp.org.za
Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
P.O.Box 1019
Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080 / 6940
Mobile: +27 82 821 7456
E-Mail: pat...@cosatu.org.za
