2005-11-25,+COSATU+CEC+statement,+24th+November+2005

= **COSATU Central Executive Committee statement** =


 * 24 November 2005**

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Congress of South African Trade Unions met for the last time in 2005 between 21-23 November 2005. The CEC is constituted by a minimum of two and maximum of four affiliates’ representatives, together with the two representatives from each of the federation’s provinces and the COSATU National Office Bearers. A host of issues were discussed and we summarise some of the key decisions of the CEC.


 * 20th Anniversary celebrations**

The CEC took place on the eve of COSATU’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the final plans for which were confirmed. The details are attached below. This will be an historic event, bringing together past and present leaders and members of the federation in a series of events in Durban, culminating in a mass rally in the ABSA Stadium on Sunday 4 December.

Speakers will include COSATU President Willie Madisha, ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma, SACP General Secretary, Blade Nzimande, and ICFTU General Secretary, Guy Ryder, and the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole. Awards will be presented to some of the heroes and heroines of the workers 20-year struggle to defend and advance workers’ rights and living standards. There will be performances from some of the elite of South Africa’s cultural stars. The media are invited to apply for credentials for this momentous celebration on the form attached below.


 * Jobs and Poverty Campaign**

The CEC conducted a thorough analysis of the Jobs and Poverty Campaign, which began with the national stayaway on 27 June and continued with provincial mass action every Monday in October. We express our gratitude to the millions of workers who supported the campaign. Many affiliates reported on the successes they are achieving in their sectors to save the jobs of thousands of members as a result of the pressure created by the federation’s campaign.

We decided that the campaign must continue, in the light of the reality that job creation remains slow and job losses continue unabated. There is no change in the totality of the picture - that wage’s share of the national income continues to decline. This campaign is a working-class response to an economic environment hostile to workers. The main benefits of economic transformation in our country accrue to big business. We have said that this decade must be a decade of the working class in both economic and political terms.

We agreed to engage with the Deputy President around both the demands of the campaign and the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative. Should these engagements be fruitful COSATU will review its campaign. We are worried that big business has not engaged us on the campaign and we shall be approaching both NEDLAC and the MLC to engage with them directly, in particular to ensure that the retail bosses come to the party and respond to the demands of the jobs and poverty campaign.

The CEC decided to review its current programme and in particular postponed the February 2006 sectoral strikes to April 2006. The programme now will be:


 * 1) November 2005 – January 2006, the COSATU locals and provinces will continue to compile lists of companies that continue to retrench, casualise and practise racism. A blacklist containing the list of these companies will be announced at the end of January 2006.
 * 2) February 2006. The COSATU locals, working with the Alliance, broad coalitions of civil society formations, government in particular local government will picket, demonstrate, launch locally based consumer boycotts of products of companies, engage with these companies, etc. High on our list will be the farm bosses. Public-sector unions will during this period lead a campaign to highlight understaffing and underinvestment in public hospitals and other government departments.
 * 3) March 2006 – COSATU will coordinate affiliates’ sectoral summits at both national and provincial level. The purpose of these summits will be to ensure effective coordination and support for sectoral strikes. They will also look at implementing the other policies of the federation, in particular on cartels and super unions.
 * 4) April 2006 – the whole month will be used for sectoral strikes. The teaming together of unions will be decided by the February 2006 CEC and fine-tuned during the sectoral summits in March 2006.
 * 5) May 2006 – May Day and the CEC will be used to further evaluate progress so that a new programme emerges.


 * Recruitment Campaign**

The CEC evaluated the campaign. It noted that the campaign is paying dividends in that a number of affiliates reported huge successes. These figures are being consolidated and COSATU will announce new membership figures in January 2006. The CEC called on all affiliates to ensure improved levels of reporting within affiliates and to the federation.


 * Political situation**

The CEC unanimously reaffirmed the decision of the COSATU third Central Committee which is unequivocal in its support for the ANC Deputy President. In summary the Central Committee had said the following, that:


 * 1) The ANC Deputy President has been treated unfairly. His constitutionally guaranteed rights were violated and an injustice has been visited on him.
 * 2) There is a political conspiracy against the ANC Deputy President to end his political career.
 * 3) State institutions may have been used in the process to deal with him unfairly and to violate his human dignity
 * 4) COSATU will, in carrying support for him, step up its decision to raise funds through the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust Account to ensure that he defends himself in the court of law.
 * 5) Reinstatement to the position of Deputy President and, since he is unlikely to have a fair trial bearing in mind the above stated points, we call for the dropping of charges.

Everything that happened since COSATU third Central Committee reinforces the correctness of the resolution.

The CEC noted the ANC National Executive Committee statement. Further the ANC Secretary General briefed the CEC on the discussions of the ANC NEC. We regard the NEC discussion and pronouncement as progress, particularly the fact that the ANC at last is taking political responsibility to provide leadership. Regarding the contents of the statement, we shall approach the alliance components for a ten-a-side meeting to be called, to ensure that a full Alliance Summit is held, involving provincial representatives, so this matter is debated. This debate will include processing of the four specific issues debated but not settled in the last ten-a-side alliance meeting. These issues include perceptions of political conspiracy and feelings of marginalisation of the alliance components in the transition. This will allow a platform to develop a united alliance position now that all the alliance formations have had the opportunity to discuss the matter.

COSATU fully endorses the need to work tirelessly to ensure that the unity of the movement as a whole is preserved, as failure will have far-reaching consequences. Real unity however can be achieved through honest confrontation of problems rather than pretending they do not exist. We welcome the fact that the NEC has reaffirmed the centrality of the ANC in the transformation project. In this context COSATU will ensure that the reaffirmation of centrality extends to the alliance as whole, so that we end the feelings of marginalisation of the alliance components.

Provincial structures of the federation will develop programmes to allow the CEC members to brief members on the matters.

The CEC noted the media coverage of the alleged rape allegations against the ANC Deputy President. Until the matter has been formally brought before the courts, speculation will ensue, which is not fair to the alleged victim and perpetrator. For that reason everything possible should be done to get to the bottom of these allegations as soon as possible. At the same time we reiterate our position against women abuse from whatever quarter, but reject trial by media which tramples on the rights of alleged victim and perpetrator, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. While COSATU support the role of the media, it condemns the reckless manner in which this matter has been handled.

If and when the matter goes to court, COSATU will issue further comments which will be based on its historic stance on the matter or rape. We will not engage on the matter in public until that has happened.


 * Local government elections**

We received a report from the Alliance task team on work to ensure that we encourage our people to register for and, when the time comes, to vote for the ANC. We congratulate the 21 million who had registered including the thousands of newly registered voters. We welcome the publication of the voting date (01 March 2006).

We will participate effectively in the Alliance to ensure that the elections manifesto responds to workers’ demands. In particular we will seek to ensure that the manifesto commits local government to local action to create and protect jobs, promotes local procurement, rejects prepaid cards for basic services, etc.

COSATU urges its structures, in the light of the announcement of the date for local government elections, to redouble efforts to encourage voters to vote and to vote for the ANC. We call on the ANC members and the Alliance structures to ensure that no corrupt or inept councillors are re-elected to serve our people. Only those who are completely loyal to the needs of our people and who had refused the trappings of power, including corruption, should be made our candidates.


 * Programme for 2006**

A comprehensive and ambitious programme for 2006 was presented. It is based on the need to ensure implementation of the all resolutions of the 8th National Congress and the Third Central Committee. This programme seeks to take the 2015 programme to new heights.


 * 1. Building our organisation and alliance**

The programme will ensure that we continue to build the power of the working class so that, as part of the alliance, it drives transformation to the benefit of the workers and the rural poor. Central to this will be effective implementation of the programmes to strengthen COSATU and its affiliates. We shall continue to work to strengthen the alliance and cement its role in the transformation of our society. We require a strong and united ANC and SACP to achieve this goal.


 * 2. Transformation of economy and fighting for quality jobs**

We shall continue with our jobs and poverty campaign. We shall engage with the government, business and community to ensure that economic restructuring addresses the huge inequities that continue to bedevilled our society. We shall engage effectively with the government’s attempts to respond to our historic criticism to develop a comprehensive and coherent industrial strategy based on the policies we developed in the August Third Central Committee. Only when our economy generates sufficient and high-quality jobs do we stand a chance of defeating poverty. Only when we have an effective rural development strategy based on the thorough-going agrarian reform shall we stand a chance of defeating poverty in the countryside. We shall step up the fight for basic income grant and for a people’s budget. We shall deepen interaction with government departments and portfolio committees to ensure the workers’ voice in policies is cemented. The highlight of the year will be the Ninth National Congress in September. Other important issues for federation in 2006 include:


 * 3. Fighting to protect workers rights**

We condemn in the strongest terms possible the Reserve Bank Governor, who is increasingly making irresponsible political statements and routine attacks on hard-won workers gains. We are worried that even though he will always be credited for the progressive transformation of the apartheid labour market, whilst he was a Minister of Labour, the Reserve Bank Governor seeks to extricate himself from these progressive protections of workers’ rights. This indicates that whilst South Africa has been engaging with a phenomenon of political floor crossing it has still to debate ideological floor crossing.

We established a task team that will meet early in 2006 to strategise on how to take forward the workers’ demands. These include putting an end to the use of casualisation, which results in the extreme exploitation of workers. At the same time we shall defend the workers’ gains from attacks from within our broad movement and elsewhere.


 * Strategic audit of shift in government policy**

The federation is taking stock of all the shifts and trends in government legislation and assessing the gains and setbacks workers suffered in the period. A draft was presented in the CEC, which was subjected to an intense discussion. We shall release the audit later once it is finalised.


 * Old Mutual**

The CEC backed SATAWU’s complaint against the outrageous arguments advanced by Old Mutual in defence of a member of their staff who used racist abuse against a fellow worker. It also concurred with COSATU’s Western Cape Province’s concern at attempt by this firm to curtail the right to demonstrate at their premises.

Old Mutual holds billions of workers’ funds in retirement funds and other forms of policy. Affiliates whose members have their retirement funds and other policies administered by Old Mutual are to write protest letters to Old Mutual warning that unless the company deals decisively with racist practises, workers will review their decision to allow it to administer their money.

We have since learned that Old Mutual has relented and dismissed the manager who called a SATAWU member a kaffir. We welcome this but believe that the company must continue to clean its house on the matter of racial abuse of black people who work for the company.


 * Public transport**

COSATU took note of the frustration of workers that results in some commuters setting property alight. This happens as they stand hopelessly for many hours waiting for trains that hardly ever arrive on time. Many workers inevitably lose their jobs as the employers are not at all sympathetic to their plight. It is these anxieties that lead some commuters to burn train coaches. COSATU does not condone this practise, since. Whilst it has been meant to highlight the plight of workers, it is self-defeating in the long run. This phenomenon is not only facing Gauteng but workers nationally.

This demonstrates the extent of the public transport crisis in our country. We are aware that Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, is working hard to develop a new comprehensive public transport system. In this context we call for a moratorium on the Gautrain project until it can be assessed in the context of the new policy. It is completely odd that government would spend no less than R20 billion on a train to serve the elite whilst workers have to cope with inefficient and unreliable public transport. The Gautrain, if it is built, must form part of a new comprehensive, accessible and affordable transport system that serves firstly those who entirely defend on the public transport to go to work.


 * International solidarity**

The CEC noted the intensification of attacks on workers’ rights around the world, in particular the renewed attacks on the workers’ gains in Australia and Zimbabwe. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the governments of both countries. We pledge to continue to do everything possible to pledge solidarity with workers of these countries. We also debated the situation that continues to face workers in Swaziland in the context of the need to strengthen the voice of workers and the marginalised rural communities of that country.


 * ANNEX 1**


 * COSATU 20th anniversary programme: 1 - 4 December 2005, Durban**


 * Exhibition and Performance**


 * 1 – 3 December, 9 am – 5 pm:**

Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, Hall 2

• Photograph and poster exhibition of workers’ cultural history

• Screenings of films of trade union and worker struggles; COSATU 20 Years Special Documentary

• Dance, poetry, music performances by community artists


 * Events**


 * Day One: 1 December 2005**

Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, Hall 2

09h05 Pietermaritzburg SADTU Choir

09h15 Cultural groups Maskandi, Mpumalanga White Birds, Chizboyz, Shaka Zulu Dance, Tina Mnumzana

09h45: World AIDS Day Candelight ceremony

10h00-14h00 Public Forum: COSATU, then and Now!

10h00 Welcome and Introduction to the public forum by NEHAWU President, Noluthando Mayende- Sibiya

10h30 20th Anniversary poetry

10h40 Main Address: COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi

11h10 Response: Prof Eddie Webster

11h25 Response: Jay Naidoo

11h40 Cultural Item

11h45 Response: SACP General Secretary Dr. Blade Nzimande

12h00 Response: ANC speaker

12h15 – 14h00 Discussion and Debate

14h00 – 17h00 Exhibition and video screenings


 * Day Two: 2 December 2005**


 * Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, Hall 2**

9h30 – 15h30: Exhibition and Performances

• Video screenings

• Replay: COSATU 20 Years Special Documentary

• Dance festival to include: True Moments Gospel, Gqoma Mgwaqo Gumboots Dance

15h30 Launch of COSATU book: Hlanganani Basebenzi, a brief history of COSATU

15h50 Workers Poetry: Mi Hlatswayo, Gladman Ngubo, Nise Malange, and Tobile Maso. Music by Nyuswa Homeboyz

16h00 Special tribute to COSATU by Connie September, COSATU’s past Vice President

16h10 Poetry by 4M

16h30 Address by past COSATU President, John Gomono


 * Day Three: 3 December 2005**


 * Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, Hall 2**

9h00 Exhibition, video screenings

9h30 Performances by Male Voices, Siyaphambili Afro and poetry by Gcinaphi

10h00 Music by Raymond Majongwe, Zimbabwean artist and trade unionist

10h15 Public Forum: COSATU and Culture, chaired by Willies Mchunu and Tembeka Gwangwa

Input by Mabutho Sithole and Nise Malange


 * Day Four: 4 December 2005 **

(7 am: gates open; 8:30 programme starts)

8h30-9h45 Cultural activities (chaired by Julius Sithole and Lungi Gcabashe).

Cultural performances by: Lindokuhle Dancers; Sametime (Maskandi); Vumile (Maskandi); Mpumalanga White Birds

9h45 Singing of National Anthem, Internationale and Solidarity Forever, by SADTU Pietermaritzburg Choir

9h50 – 12h00 Formal programme chaired by Zwelinzima Vavi, Zweli Mkhize and Noluthando Mayende-Sibiye

9h50 Welcome address by Kwazulu Natal COSATU Chair Sdumo Dlamini

10h05 Reading of messages of support and introduction of national and international guests

10h25 Message by founding General Secretary Jay Naidoo

10h35 Solidarity message from the international trade union movement, by General Secretary of the ICFTU, Guy Ryder

10h45 Solidarity message by General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Blade Nzimande

11h05 Solidarity message by ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma

11h35 Conferring COSATU 20th anniversary and Elijah Barayi Awards

12h35 Keynote address by COSATU President Willie Madisha

13h05 Vote of thanks by COSATU leadership

13h05 – 19h00 Musical Concert (compered by Mabutho Sithole and Nomvuzo Shabalala). Artists include: Phuzekhemisi, Ringo Madlingozi, Busi Mhlongo, Thandiswa Mazwai and Malaika.

= **COSATU 20th anniversary celebrations, 1-4 December 2005, Durban** =

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 * ANNEX 2**


 * JOINT COSATU, SACC, TAC press statement, 23 November 2005**


 * 1. Stepping up civil society action to prevent and treat HIV**

On 22 November 2005 a historic meeting of the executive structures of COSATU, TAC and the South African Council of Churches took place. The meeting assessed the challenges of HIV prevention and treatment in South Africa. We resolved to build a better response within our organisations and in society generally.

Whilst we will continue to put pressure on our government to take a lead on the matter, we have decided to do what we must do to provide leadership to our own members and society on the matter. Leadership responsibility dictates that we act on behalf of our organisations as well as in our personal capacity.

The HIV epidemic has been permitted to go too far. We all believe that HIV is a disaster that is killing people in terrible numbers, and, as frightening, an epidemic where the numbers of people newly infected with HIV continues to grow. This can and must be changed.

COSATU, the SACC and TAC agree that the two critical pillars of a scaled up response are:


 * 1) Devising an **effective** national HIV prevention plan, that will break the stigma around HIV, encourage massive take up of voluntary HIV testing, and personal behaviour change to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
 * 2) Increasing the numbers of people who are accessing life-saving ARV treatment, with a target of **at least** 200,000 people receiving treatment by mid 2006 and an aim of universal access to treatment.

COSATU, the SACC and TAC have agreed on a unique programme of action, which will commence immediately. Among the decisions reflected in the programme of action are:


 * Joint activity on World AIDS Day 2005 to launch the campaign. This will take place in Durban and be linked to COSATU’s 20th anniversary celebrations.


 * A joint campaign to stop the unlawful activities of Matthias Rath and similar charlatans and to make our communities aware of the dangers to them posed by false promises and information about HIV.


 * Organising a National Civil Society conference to agree a People’s Charter and Plan to prevent HIV in March 2006.


 * Using May Day 2006 to put pressure on employers to ensure all employees have access to prevention information, counselling and treatment.


 * Finalising the 2003 NEDLAC Agreement on HIV Prevention and Treatment to ensure that all sections of our society (business, communities, labour and government) are working in synergy, with common responsibilities, targets and determination.

We urge every other organisation committed to these aims to join us.

Finally, all three of our organisations understand the complexity of HIV and the way in which the spread of the epidemic presents numerous developmental and social challenges. In view of this we have also resolved to set up a high-level commission on HIV and Development to continually develop and improve strategies around HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Paul Notyhawa (Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O.Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

South Africa

Cell: 082 4911 591

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940

E-Mail: paul@cosatu.org.za