Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 20 February 2026 #CosatuRedFridays
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu donates school shoes and dignity packs in Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga this weekend #ClassSolidarity #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #CosatuCallCentre 010 002 2590 #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
20 February 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU Public Service Unions to hold a media briefing on planned action against GEMS, 23 February 2026
- Media Alert: COSATU interviews at Parliament on Budget Day 20 February 2026
- COSATU Gauteng applauds R1.5 billion Labour Activation Programme to boost jobs and skills in Gauteng
- COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
- South Africa
- COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
- COSATU Gauteng welcomes the long overdue salary increases for municipal workers in Tshwane
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Solidarity with Argentina and the strike against regressive labour reforms
- New policy brief highlights the social and solidarity economy as key to post-growth poverty eradication
- Shifting gears in Chattanooga: VW workers drive home landmark contract
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU Public Service Unions to hold a media briefing on planned action against GEMS, 23 February 2026
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 20 February 2026
The public service unions affiliated to COSATU — DENOSA, NEHAWU, SADTU, POPCRU, SAMATU, PAWUSA and SAEPU will hold a media briefing on Monday 23 February, to explain workers’ deep anger towards the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS)’s outrageous and inflammatory decision to impose a massive 9.8%-member contribution increase for 2026.
The unions are also disgruntled about governance failures at GEMS’ and its attack on collective bargaining. Details of the planned action against the medical aid scheme will be provided.
The media briefing to held as follows:
Date : Monday, 23 February 2026
Time : 11am
Venue : COSATU House, 110 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
All members of the media are invited to attend the briefing.
For more information please contact:
Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
Cell: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
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Media Alert: COSATU interviews at Parliament on Budget Day 20 February 2026
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 20 February 2026
For any media requests at Parliament on the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)’s expectations and reactions on Budget Day on 25 February 2026, please contact COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks, at 082 785 0687.
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COSATU Gauteng applauds R1.5 billion Labour Activation Programme to boost jobs and skills in Gauteng
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 20 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng welcomes the activation of approximately R1.5 billion in Labour Activation Programme (LAP) contracts by Minister Nomakhosazana Meth in Gauteng Province.
This significant investment by the Department of Employment and Labour demonstrates a firm commitment to tackling unemployment and expanding meaningful economic participation for working-class communities. The unlocking of over 30,000 training and work opportunities represents a decisive intervention aimed at bridging the gap between skills development and industrial demand.
As COSATU Gauteng, we strongly support initiatives that prioritise decent work, empower young people and the unemployed with accredited training, and stimulate sustainable job creation. The Labour Activation Programme has the potential to strengthen local industries, enhance productivity, and restore dignity to thousands of households across our province.
We particularly welcome the Department’s message: “Working for you.” Indeed, government programmes must always serve the people, especially workers and the unemployed who continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship.
COSATU Gauteng stands ready to work with the Department of Employment and Labour, organised business, and all social partners to ensure that this investment delivers quality training, transparent implementation, and real, sustainable employment outcomes.
Together, we must ensure that this programme not only creates jobs but builds a stronger, more inclusive Gauteng economy that truly works for all. For a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
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COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 18 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set to do its bit part in restoring dignity to pupils in flood-and GBV-ravaged communities in three provinces.
Following its second successful annual Charity Golf Challenge in December, COSATU will head to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape this coming Saturday, 21 February, to donate school shoes and dignity bags to learners.
Starting in 2024, COSATU has hosted a Charity Golf Challenge bringing together COSATU leaders, government officials and business partners on the golf course to help raise funds for its activities, school shoes and dignity bags for underprivileged learners.
Every swing contributed to changing a child’s school experience and enhancing their confidence and wellbeing.
In the true spirit of Ubuntu, President Cyril Ramaphosa supported the cause and joined in the merriment on both years.
The communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were selected for donations following the devasting floods they suffered early this year, while the Eastern Cape community was chosen due to the scourge of gender-based violence that has pervaded it. Educators, pupils and parents have been invited to handover events across the three provinces as follows:
Province: Limpopo
Venue: Masiza High School Sports Grounds, Mbaula, Giyani
Recipients from: Nyiko Primary School and Masiza High School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Eastern Cape
Venue: Jumba Senior Secondary School Hall, Mqhekezweni, Mthatha
Recipients from: Jumba Senior Secondary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Mpumalanga
Venue: Sidlemu Primary School Hall, Nkomazi
Recipients from: Silindokuhle Special School and Mphoti Primary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
COSATU President, Zingiswa Losi, has been spearheading this flagship initiative and will be at the Limpopo handover along with General Secretary, Solly Phetoe. The Federation’s 2nd Deputy President, Duncan Luvuno, and Deputy General Secretary, Gerald Twala are headed to the Eastern Cape. While 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange, and National Treasurer, Freda Oosthuysen, will be in Mpumalanga.
In preparation for the handover, COSATU has received lists from schools detailing the correct shoe size and gender of each recipient to avoid any mishaps. Each child will also receive a COSATU branded school bag with hygiene products including a washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, roll-on, lotion and sanitary pads for girls.
The Federation is sincerely grateful to its partners and stakeholders, including the golfers, for their continued support of this vital initiative.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU
applauds the tabling of the Insourcing Bill at Parliament
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 20 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds the tabling of the Insourcing Bill at Parliament. This long overdue Bill requires state organs to insource security, cleaning, maintenance, IT, auditing amongst other routine functions and, where
this is not possible, to seek authorisation for such an exemption.
This progressive Bill speaks to COSATU’s demands to insource key functions performed by various state organs. It responds to long-standing resolutions of COSATU and our Alliance partners, the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party.
The call to insource has been a cry for thousands of workers who have seen their labour rights undermined and conditions of service deteriorate as they have been outsourced across the state over many years.
Outsourcing has been a key ingredient for state capture and corruption across the state with incestuous collaboration by corrupt elements in the public and private sectors.
It has not only weakened state capacity to deliver the public and municipal services that the working class and the economy depend upon, it has bled the state of scarce resources needed to fund hospitals, schools, policing and other frontline services.
If we are to win the war against the cancer of state capture and corruption, then such functions must be insourced. We cannot continue to be shocked, condemn or hide from Sunday headlines of countless politicians and their families receiving a grotesquely inflated
tender whilst failing to deliver the goods, and yet we fail to act on this shameful hollowing out of the state.
COSATU commends the sponsor of the Bill, the Honourable Ms. Omphile Maotwe, for her leadership in bringing it to Parliament. Although this Bill has been tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), it speaks to the demands of COSATU, workers and our Alliance
Partners; and thus enjoys the full support of the Federation.
Whilst COSATU’s support for its Alliance partners is unshakeable, we welcome any Members of Parliament, irrespective of the colour of their T-shirts, who table progressive Bills speaking to the hopes and aspirations of the working class.
The Bill will not only improve the working conditions of such workers, it will further spur the dismantling of state capture networks across the state, as well as save a badly overstretched fiscus billions of Rands better spent delivering frontline public services.
This Bill provides a fair and common-sense path to end this fragmentation of the state. COSATU welcomes this timely Bill and will mobilise its full support to ensure its speedy passage by Parliament and assenting into law by the President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
We urge government, the ANC and all other parties in Parliament to not only support but expedite this game changing Bill, including the holding of public hearings on it.
Parliament can count on the unwavering support of COSATU in processing and adopting this critical Bill.
Issued by COSATU.
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COSATU Gauteng welcomes the long overdue salary increases for municipal workers in Tshwane
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 20 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Gauteng welcomes the decision by the City of Tshwane to implement the long-overdue 3.5 % salary increase for municipal workers, a matter that workers and their unions have pursued for years.
For too long, municipal workers who keep our cities functioning through refuse removal, water and sanitation services to parks and infrastructure maintenance have waited for remuneration that reflects their vital contribution to our communities. We applaud the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) for its steadfast commitment to ensuring that the wage agreement concluded in 2021 is honoured in full and that more than 21 000 employees will finally see the increase and backpay they were rightfully owed.
COSATU Gauteng recognises that this victory did not come easily. It was only achieved through principled collective action and unrelenting pressure on both labour and municipal leadership to honour collective bargaining agreements and deliver on commitments made at the bargaining table. We also note that the burden for delays lies squarely with the previous administration that failed to implement the agreed increase in a timely manner.
We emphasise that this outcome reflects not only a monetary adjustment but a reaffirmation of labour rights and the dignity of municipal workers across Tshwane. COSATU Gauteng stands in solidarity with SAMWU and all organised labour in calling for fair, just and timely implementation of wage agreements across all sectors of the public service.
As we move forward, COSATU Gauteng will continue to support efforts to strengthen collective bargaining, protect worker rights, and ensure that municipal employees receive the respect and remuneration they deserve — not as a concession, but as a fundamental right.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
International-Solidarity
Solidarity with Argentina and the strike against regressive labour reforms
19 February 2026
Across the Americas and around the world, trade unions are mobilizing solidarity with the people of Argentina as they resist a sweeping, regressive labour reform pushed by President Javier Milei’s far-right government.
UNI General Secretary Christy Hoffman said:
“Let’s be clear: this is not modernization of labour law — it is an assault on working people. This bill drags Argentina backward to a time before workers’ rights and social protections were recognized as pillars of democracy. It is a blueprint for deeper inequality and economic instability, driven by craven ideology. We stand with Argentina’s unions, united against this dangerous rollback and fighting for a better future.”
The government’s proposals include:
New restrictions on the rights to strike, hold assemblies and engage in collective bargaining – in violation of international labour standards ratified by Argentina, including ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
Easier dismissals, which would increase job insecurity.
Deregulation of working hours and paid leave, breaching constitutional protections.
Defunding the social security system, leaving pensioners and retirees more vulnerable.
UNI Americas issued the following statement, translated below.
Statement by UNI Americas in Support of the National Strike Called in Argentina
UNI Americas expresses our strongest solidarity with the workers of Argentina in light of the 24-hour national strike called by the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) on 19 February in defense of jobs, hard-won rights and social justice.
UNI Americas voices its deep concern over the so-called “labour modernization” bill promoted by the national government, as well as the broader set of economic measures that are negatively affecting employment, purchasing power, and the quality of life of millions of working families.
Reforms that weaken collective bargaining, reduce labour rights, and promote precarious work do not constitute modernization. On the contrary, they represent a step backward in social protection and pose a risk to democratic stability and sustainable development.
There can be no economic development without decent work. Public policies must be aimed at generating formal employment, reducing inequality and building a growth model that places people above financial speculation.
We stand with the demands of the Argentine trade union movement and urge members of parliament not to support this bill, whose sole purpose is the destruction of rights. We also call on the government to open, genuine dialogue with representative workers’ organizations, in full respect of international labour standards and the fundamental principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
International solidarity is a cornerstone of global trade unionism. UNI Americas reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the defense of labour rights and to the building of more just, democratic, and inclusive societies.
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New policy brief highlights the social and solidarity economy as key to post-growth poverty eradication
20 February 2026
The brief examines how the social and solidarity economy (SSE) can serve as a partner and delivery mechanism for advancing the human rights economy, and identifies policy levers and actions that can strengthen the conducive environment for the SSE.
TURIN (ILO News) – Marking the World Day of Social Justice on 20 February 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the ILO-chaired United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE), and the ILO-led Global Coalition for Social Justice, has officially launched a joint policy brief on the advancing the human rights economy through the social and solidarity economy (SSE).
It explores how SSE entities — such as cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, foundations, and social enterprises — promote decent work, equitable resource distribution, care systems, gender equity, and climate resilience, all while prioritizing people and social purpose over profit. It identifies practical policy levers for governments, development partners and international partners to support the SSE as a key policy instrument for meaningful economic transformation.
“Backing the social and solidarity economy is one of the most impactful ways in which governments can address poverty without relying on growth-dependent strategies that deepen inequality and environmental harm.”
The policy brief contributes directly to the Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth — a set of post-growth policy proposals for poverty eradication being developed with UN agencies, civil society, trade unions and academic experts – examining how the SSE can translate its principles into action.
The brief was presented and launched by the UN Special Rapporteur and Simel Esim, Head of the ILO’s Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy Unit and Chair of the UNTFSSE, at a public conference on the SSE in Turin, Italy.
The brief is available in English and Italian.
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Shifting gears in Chattanooga: VW workers drive home landmark contract
20 February, 2026
In a resounding victory for autoworkers in the US South, more than 3,000 workers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant have voted by 96 per cent to ratify their first-ever union contract.
The agreement locks in 20 per cent wage increases, reductions in healthcare costs, job security guarantees and an enforceable grievance procedure ,delivering long-awaited dignity, security and respect on the job. The vote marks the culmination of a years-long struggle to secure union recognition and collective bargaining rights.
The victory follows the workers’ overwhelming decision in April 2024 to join the United Auto Workers (UAW), a breakthrough moment for organizing in the traditionally anti-union South. In October 2025, after more than a year of negotiations, workers demonstrated their determination by voting to authorize strike action to secure a fair agreement. That mandate strengthened their bargaining power and, in early February, a tentative deal was reached, now emphatically endorsed by the membership.
“This victory shows what happens when workers stand up and refuse to be ignored. We didn’t just win better wages and raise standards at our plant, we forced respect onto the table and got it all in writing,” said Yogi Peoples, a member of the bargaining committee from Assembly. “Our victory here at Volkswagen should send a message to autoworkers everywhere: don’t let management divide you. When workers fight together, united and unafraid, we can beat the odds and win.”
UAW president, Shawn Fain, praised the workers’ courage and persistence:
“Volkswagen workers have moved yet another mountain. From having the courage to stand up and form their union, to having the backbone to authorize a strike and hold out for a contract that honours their worth. VW workers are leading the way for the entire labour movement and non-union autoworkers everywhere. Welcome to the UAW family.”
The Chattanooga victory was achieved with solidarity beyond borders. Workers received support from the Volkswagen Works Council and Germany’s powerful metalworkers’ union, IG Metall, an IndustriALL affiliate, demonstrating the importance of global trade union cooperation in multinational companies.
IndustriALL Global Union general secretary, Atle Høie, welcomed the breakthrough:
“This is a landmark victory not only for Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, but for workers across the United States and globally. It proves that when workers organize collectively and stand firm, they can win binding agreements. This sends a powerful signal to multinational companies everywhere: respect for trade union rights and collective bargaining is not optional it is fundamental.”
Soon after winning union recognition, workers elected a 20-member negotiating committee made up of their peers, ensuring the bargaining agenda reflected shop-floor priorities. The ratified contract now provides a legally binding framework guaranteeing fair pay, more affordable healthcare, safer working conditions and clear protections against favouritism.
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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