SADTU+NEC+Press+Release+and+Resolutions+May+2006

SOUTH AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC TEACHERS UNION (SADTU)
=PRESS RELEASE=


 * 1 June 2006**

//The NEC (National Executive Committee) of SADTU met in Johannesburg from 30 – 31 May to address the major challenges and priorities facing the Union. The NEC brings together the national and provincial leadership of SADTU representing 230,000 members – nearly two-thirds of South African teachers. SADTU is the largest union in the public sector and the second largest union in South Africa.//

“SADTU NEC resolves to:
 * initiate wide-ranging political debate
 * reaffirm support for Cde Jacob Zuma
 * call for reopening of the Chris Hani inquest
 * reject FET privatisation moves
 * call for a national education forum in 2007
 * refuse to sign GEMS in its current form”

The NEC resolved on the following areas:


 * 1. Political developments**

In the light of recent momentous political developments and debates within the Alliance, the NEC resolved to reconstitute the union’s Political Commission (PC) at the highest level of the union to include leaders from each of the nine provinces. The main aim of the Commission is to facilitate debate and develop a SADTU response to current political debates. The tasks of the PC include the following:


 * To survey and analyze the current political conjuncture and broader issues relating to the functioning of the Alliance and the nature of the South African state; including the increasing class contradictions emerging within the Alliance.


 * To identify key strategic issues for discussion at the SADTU National Congress in August this year;


 * To engage with the discussion documents of the Alliance partners – in order to make an input into COSATU, SACP and ANC debates and national congresses scheduled for 2006 – 7.

Some of the issues identified for debate include the following:


 * Need to address the organizational weaknesses of the Alliance and the over-centralisation of power within the ANC; and the need to clarify policy making processes, and to develop strategies for strengthening the Alliance as the political centre.


 * Need to engage with policy debates over the government’s shift towards neo-liberal economic policies. In particular, we need to carefully analyse the new policy of Asgisa.


 * Following debates at the 2006 NGC, engage with continuing attempts to transform the ANC from a mass-based national liberation movement into a western-style bourgeois party


 * The use of state resources and media to fight factional battles within the movement. For example, the unprecedented measures by which the complainant in the recent Zuma trial was spirited overseas – presumably at great public expense.


 * 2. Comrade Jacob Zuma**

The NEC also reaffirmed SADTU’s support for Comrade Jacob Zuma’s right to a fair trial, and to take up his duties and responsibilities as Deputy President of the ANC following his recent acquittal. In line with this, the NEC reaffirms support for COSATU’s call to mobilize members to ensure that his upcoming trial is conducted fairly.


 * 3. ANC Succession Debate**

In relation to the succession question within the ANC, SADTU holds the view that this is a matter to be debated and settled by the members of the ANC, in the tradition of the ANC. At the same time we see this as a crucial debate – not about any particular individual – but about the future ideological direction and programmes of the movement. The labour and democratic movement will need to combat the influence of vested interests – large capital and the parasitic black bourgeoisie – which will use their control of the media to try to influence the outcome.


 * 4. Chris Hani**

NEC supports the call made by the SACP for the reopening of the Chris Hani inquest.


 * 5. Asgisa**

As SADTU we need to develop our own response to the Asgisa initiative which is widely seen to be merely the latest version of conservative macro-economic policies such as Gear. This will be one of the tasks of the Political Commission. Broadly, as part of COSATU, whilst we reject the neo-liberal basis of government policy, we will still engage with specific policies: hence the involvement of labour representatives in Jipsa to promote skills development, eg in relation to the critical lack of artisans and other professional skills, and to ensure that resources are mobilized accordingly, particularly within the SETAs.


 * 6. FET (Further Education and Training: grades 10 – 12, colleges)**

The NEC rejected moves towards privatisation in the college sector contained in the new FET Bill – with college lecturers falling under college councils instead of the Department of Education. Should this aspect of the Bill proceed, SADTU will take legal advice on this with a view to declaring a dispute.

Reports from provinces indicate that implementation of the new FET curriculum is in crisis. There are also challenges in the GET (General Education and Training grades 1 – 9) sector. NEC therefore resolved to call on the Department of Education to convene a national forum in 2007 to review implementation of the new curriculum and progress with education transformation.


 * 7. Teacher Development Strategy**

Twelve years into our democracy, we still do not have a national teacher development strategy. This is key to developing quality teachers to deliver quality education. In line with this, SADTU fully supports the proposal to hold a National Forum for Teacher Development, to include all stakeholders, to be facilitated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authorities). The union will also workshop members around the framework for teacher education.


 * 8. GEMS (Government Employees Medical Scheme)**

SADTU will not sign the current GEMS proposal until a number of issues are addressed, including:


 * The extension of the 100% subsidy to level 6 employees – in order to include entry level professional such as teachers and nurses;
 * The need to provide for labour representation on the board of trustees of the scheme.
 * Maintain choice for members who opt to join the new scheme and then wish to exit GEMS. They must be allowed to retain their subsidy.
 * Provision of medical aid for retired public servants.

SADTU will continue to engage the employer on these matters. In the meantime, SADTU will workshop its members on the drawbacks of GEMS.


 * 9. Wage Demands for 2007**

NEC resolved to consult with members during the month of June on proposed wage demands for the 2007 wage round. These proposals are based on discussions with the other unions in the public service. Labour is seeking to finalize its demands for the 2007 wage round in good time to influence the budgeting process.


 * 10. SADTU 6th National Congress 30 August 2006**

SADTU’s National Congress is held every four years and brings together leadership from all levels – national, provincial, regions (50) and branches (500). NEC adopted the theme for the Congress:

//“Empowering educators to reposition SADTU for peoples’ education and working class power.”//


 * CONTACTS:**


 * //Thulas Nxesi, General Secretary 082 782 6877//**
 * //Edwin Pillay, Deputy President 082 783 2969//**
 * //Fikile Hugo, National Negotiator 082 553 4010//**
 * //Jon Lewis, Research & Media 082 567 5628//**

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