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National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)

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CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE “DECENT WORK IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TOWARDS & BEYOND 2010"

Authors: NUM
Date: 2007
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/250673 , vital:52037
Description: The 2010 World Cup is upon us, an event of great socio economic import to South Africa and indeed the African Continent. Not only is South Africa on the pedestal, but so is the African Continent. It is all systems go, so says major role players involved in delivering the 2010 FIFA World Cup to the World. However, we wonder if the same holds true for labour, that we can say it is all systems go, when, on the eve of the infrastructure roll out, we are grappling with issues of how we can stake a claim on behalf of the millions of construction workers that we represent.
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Date Issued: 2007

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Secretariate report - Mobilise and invest for a sustainable cadre development

Authors: NUM
Date: 2002
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149517 , vital:38860
Description: Three years ago this Province under the banner of the Western Cape National Union of Mineworkers gathered in this constitutional structure, the Regional conference under the slogan “Develop Leadership to Advance Socialism”. That conference then declared and adopted a comprehensive programme of action to take forward that Regional conference declaration. That the regional committee should and within the broad framework of the declaration ensure that the NUM in a regional context fight for better working conditions of our members. That the RC develops concrete programmes for the broader structures and membership to understand and ultimately be implemented at those levels. This conference has to deal with the assessment of the progress made during this period under review. Within the context of contestation forward mobility is ensured that seeks to help build the working class leadership which is ultimately or essentially political leadership. Worker control is one of the key founding principles of our union which will be better understood and implemented when we are to begin to find synergy between the worker leadership and the intellectual capacity within our organisation. This report will deal with the different chapters as identified. This report will also deal with our participation in COSATU structures as well as lack of cohesiveness between branch leaders and general membership and also the possible fear to engage. We will also try and attempt to discuss the lack of information flow from our structures to the broader membership. As we engage this report, let us try to use our organisational tools to resolve the problems facing our region and in particular the branches and as a result find suitable solutions to build and strengthen the organisation.
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Date Issued: 2002

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NUM - Induction course participants manual

Authors: NUM
Date: 1998
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149554 , vital:38863
Description: This Induction Course is the most important education programme in the National Union of Mineworkers. It is the beginning of a development programme for shaft/shop stewards as cadres of the labour movement and cadres of the working class movement. The Induction Course is part of a programme to organise, deepen organisational understanding, raise class-consciousness and develop working class leadership. Once a shaft/shop steward has completed the course, he/she must demand progression through the intermediate course to the leadership school. Development and desire for selfgrowth should be in the hands of stewards themselves. We train shaft/shop stewards because we are committed to ensuring that Mine and Energy workers themselves determine their destiny. They must lead and control their own union. This can only become reality if it translates into these workers taking over all strategic positions in the union. The Induction Course must instill ambition and make our members develop dreams about the union.
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Date Issued: 1998

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In defence of freedom

Authors: NUM
Date: 1995
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149565 , vital:38864
Description: This book was produced to respond to questions asked by our members during the president’s national RDP mass education tour. It covers our struggle history from as early as 1652 up until the time when Nelson Mandela was inaugurated the first president of a democratic South Africa. The book also attempts to assist comrades to understand what the RDP is and find ways of rebuilding our country after the hard years of apartheid. Workers, particularly from the mining industry will be able to use this book in understanding how their contribution will assist in creating jobs, building more houses etc. We would like you to read this book over and over again and discuss the content with comrades in your branch. The committee will appriaciate any suggestions that you may come up with.
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Date Issued: 1995

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Central committee - Save Jobs - Protect standards

Authors: NUM
Date: Feb 1993
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149528 , vital:38861
Description: It is one year since our last Central Committee.During this period much has happened on the international and domestic front. Yugoslavia remains at war, the United States of America has the first democratic President since Carter and millions of people are starving. It is not only in Somalia that people are starving.Right here at home over two million people are fed by poverty relief programmes. Although we thought that democracy was at hand, it has still eluded us in 1992. The Apartheid government still remains firmly entrenched although the negotiations with the African National Congress show some glimmer that the multilateral negotiations will resume shortly, the establishmant of a transitional government and the holding of the first non-racial national democratic elections by the end of 1993 or early 1994. With the violence still not under control we continue to see our people under siege, families broken up and property destroyed. For peace there must be democracy. Apartheid has left incalculable damage and a legacy that will have to be addressed. As the National Union of Mineworkers we have made and will have to continue to make many sacrifices. 1993 heralds important challenges for our union and the democratic movement as a whole. Central Committee will have to deliberate on these matters and decide the way forward for the coming months.
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Date Issued: Feb 1993

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Central committee report

Authors: NUM
Date: Feb 1993
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149576 , vital:38865
Description: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) held a successful 1993 Central Committee (CC) meeting from 11-13 February at CSIR Centre in Pretoria. The CC attended by 300 delegates from the 16 regions of the union representing 280 000 members deliberated key issues affecting workers in mining and energy sectors. With the opening session, the 11th, being the third anniversary of the release of NUM honorary president, Nelson Mandela, the stage was set for tough decisions to be taken on the current political developments in South Africa. NUM president, James Motlatsi outlined general guidelines on major issues affecting workers in his keynote address. Major issues for discussion were: Retrenchments, NUM’s role in the forthcoming national democratic elections, Wages and conditions of employment demands for 1993, Assessment of the state of the NUM. It took delegates three days of serious discussions to come out with decisions which will guide the union in this dynamic period in the history of our country. NUM was honoured to have ANC secretary general, Cyril Ramaphosa as a guest speaker on the current political developments. COSATU general secretary, Jay Naidoo also gave us the honour by giving an invaluable input on the challenges faced by the labour movement today. The CC culminated with a mass rally in Klerksdorp on the 14th February for report back. The CC was held under the theme: Save jobs and protect standards. Forward to democratic elections. Details of CC decisions are given in this report. Please note that this report is not the official record of the CC proceedings but is a summary guide prepared by the NUM media department for the information of members. We suggest you keep it for future reference.
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Date Issued: Feb 1993

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IEC CONFERENCE ON PROFIT SHARING

Authors: NUM
Date: 1993
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174134 , vital:42445
Description: At present, profit sharing does not fit into the philosophy of any trade unions in South Africa. It is not a part of the policy of any union I know about. Where profit sharing schemes exist and are accepted by the unions, this is because of special circumstances. This talk is in three parts: First, I will explain where my union, the National Union of Mineworkers, has accepted profit sharing schemes and why it has done so. Secondly, I will outline the different levels of agreements that we have negotiated on profit sharing and the principles we have agreed should govern such schemes Thirdly, I will speak of the implementation of the schemes, and their potential for providing a basis for greater worker participation in the enterprises which have negotiated profit sharing agreements.
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Date Issued: 1993

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NUM Memorandum - State policy on the crisis in the Gold mining industry

Authors: NUM
Date: June 1992
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149541 , vital:38862
Description: The National Union of Mineworkers has asked for a meeting with the Minister to highlight the severe social and economic effects that are caused by the low rand gold price and the consequent rationalisation measures that are being implemented by the gold mines. The severity of the crisis is well illustrated by the case of the Harmony Gold Mine in the Orange Free State. This is the largest of the so-called "marginal" gold mines and last week it retrenched over 6 000 workers. The gold mines have cut back over 130 000 jobs over the last five years. The job cuts have speeded up again in 1992 as the gold price has continued at low levels. The NUM expressed its deep concern at this contraction in the gold industry most strongly at the Summit on the Future of the Mining Industry in June 1992. This meeting was attended by mining houses, the trade unions and several state departments. The NUM made a plea for a national plan and a national policy to regulate and manage the process of down-scaling. Despite the formation of a Summit Steering Committee to consider this and other proposals, and a whole series of working-group meetings involving all parties, nothing practical has come out of the process to address the issue of down-scaling.
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Date Issued: June 1992

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NUM Biennial report - 1991 Seventh national congress

Authors: NUM
Date: 1991
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149605 , vital:38868
Description: Over two years have passed since our last Congress and many developments have taken place in our industry and the country. Most significant of these developments was the release of our Honorory Life President Comrade Nelson Mandela and the other political prisoners together with the unbanning of the the African National Congress and other political parties. These developments are the fruits of our struggle, a struggle so many have sacrificed so much for. These developments are the culmination of our victory over the evil system of apartheid. These developments came about as a result of the sustained assault against the edifice of apartheid mounted by our people and the international community. It is true that the political and social landscape in the country has changed and that new challenges await mineworkers, our union and all the patriotic forces in the struggle to transform our country into a genuine democracy and a prosperous country. The edifice of Aparthied has been under constant siege forcing the government to sytematically dismantle discriminatory legislation. Whilst we have to fully acknowledge that this process is taking place, we will be naive to believe that the institutions, legacy and culture that was fostered over decades will vanish with the removal of apartheid laws. We need to be constantly vigilant against the introduction of neo-apartheid in the place of apartheid. It requires much more than the removal of laws to address the historical inequities of Apartheid and racism that remains deep in the fabric of our social, economic and political life. Through all the developments we are proud to state that mineworkers have not only made their contribution in bringing about the demise of the apartheid system but have made their mark as one of the most militant sectors of the struggling masses. Together with thousands of others we have been able to shift the balance of power near to our goal of a non racial democracy. Our assessment of these developments and what the implications are for the future will be assessed in this report to Congress. As these historic developments have been taking place our industry has been experiencing severe problems with increased job losses and a low gold price. The fight for job security and the restructuring of the mining industry requires immediate attention. Our endeavours over the last two years will be evaluated and some suggestions of a future strategy will be outlined for consideration. Progess and development is often accompanied with setbacks and diversions. It is important that we acknowleges these so that our union can strenghten where it is weak and consolidate where it must. This biennial report examines the socio-economic and socio-political developments in the country and the industry since our last Congress, and assesses the achievements and future possibilities and challenges for the union.
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Date Issued: 1991

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Eskom wage negotiations for general workers 1989

Authors: NUM
Date: 1989
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134916 , vital:37217
Description: Eskom started the 1989 wage negotiations with an offer of 7% on average. They said this offer is ail they need to make to keep their relative position in the labour market. we believe that the Eskom offer is contrary to the substance and spirit of Arbitration Award which forced Eskom, in 1988, to grant a 14,8% average increase in place of the 10% average increase Eskom implemented unilaterally m July last year. Dr Dry, the Eskom personnel manager, read out from an NUM pamphlet issued after the arbitrators raised the wages. He read out this one sentence. Today, through unity, the minimum wage rates as Eskom are amongst the highest in the country for workers living in compounds.
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Date Issued: 1989

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NUM Biennial report

Authors: NUM
Date: 1989
Subjects: NUM
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149589 , vital:38866
Description: Since the Fifth National Congress in 1987 where our union adopted the Freedom Charter and charted a clear political direction for the NUM, many gallant battles have been waged by the mineworkers on many fronts. 1987 was the year in which our union launched its campaign to effect control of miners working lives. It was a year when mineworkers took control indeed in keeping with the Fifth Congress Slogan -"1987 THE YEAR MINEWORKERS TAKE CONTROL", as many comrades began to take over the hostels, particularly in the Witbank Region which resulted in families moving into the hostels for a period of time. Although the process remained uneven, the initiative was an important indicator of the willingness of the workers to take action and implement resolutions adopted by our union. In spite of the existence of the State of Emergency, the dedication, commitment, spirit and enthusiasm of mineworkers remained high. 1987 was also the year in which the NUM made its mark on the mining industry with the historic Great Miners Strike. This action, involving over 340 000 workers was the biggest of its kind in South African Labour History, and also the biggest action by workers of its kind on the African continent. We challenged some of the fundamental policies of the mining industry, in particular, the concept of poverty wages which has become one of the major battle grounds for our union. Despite mass dismissals of 50 000 workers, our union has remained and continues to mobilise and organise mineworkers against the oppressive and exploitative conditions. 1987 will certainly go down in history as the year of mass action by mineworkers throughout South Africa. It is well known that the strike did affect our organisation in many areas. Actions by management to roll back the gains of our union continued unabated after the strike right through until now.
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Date Issued: 1989

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