VIVA Comrade Moss
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 25 April
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109640 , vital:33163 , SALHA 14b : NUMSA
- Description: The last 'Trial Update" reported on Comrade Moss’s case until mid-March. This report covers the period from that time up until 25th April.STADLER - "ANC EXPERT" Brigadier Stadler testified that the ANC had made certain calls to organisations within the country which, according to his "research", had been followed by organisations in the country. As examples he gave the ANC’s call for ungovernability, the formation of organs of people’s power and the destruction of town councils. During cross-examination Stadler conceded that he was not able to give examples of any direct link between the ANC and organisations inside the coutry but he said an inference could be drawn by looking at the ANC’s call and the behaviour of organisations inside the country.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 25 April
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109640 , vital:33163 , SALHA 14b : NUMSA
- Description: The last 'Trial Update" reported on Comrade Moss’s case until mid-March. This report covers the period from that time up until 25th April.STADLER - "ANC EXPERT" Brigadier Stadler testified that the ANC had made certain calls to organisations within the country which, according to his "research", had been followed by organisations in the country. As examples he gave the ANC’s call for ungovernability, the formation of organs of people’s power and the destruction of town councils. During cross-examination Stadler conceded that he was not able to give examples of any direct link between the ANC and organisations inside the coutry but he said an inference could be drawn by looking at the ANC’s call and the behaviour of organisations inside the country.
- Full Text:
Numsa Special National Congress
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Dec 2013
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117215 , vital:34489
- Description: Numsa's Special National Congress convened from December 17 to December 20, 2013. It was attended by 1,200 delegates representing 338,000 metalworkers from 50 Locals throughout the provinces of South Africa. Numsa was proud to announce in the Congress that it is the biggest union in the history of the African continent. In the last 17 months, since our 9th Congress in Durban, we have grown from 300,000 members to 338,000 members. We are ahead of schedule in our goal to organise 400,000 workers by the time of our 10th Congress in 2016.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Dec 2013
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117215 , vital:34489
- Description: Numsa's Special National Congress convened from December 17 to December 20, 2013. It was attended by 1,200 delegates representing 338,000 metalworkers from 50 Locals throughout the provinces of South Africa. Numsa was proud to announce in the Congress that it is the biggest union in the history of the African continent. In the last 17 months, since our 9th Congress in Durban, we have grown from 300,000 members to 338,000 members. We are ahead of schedule in our goal to organise 400,000 workers by the time of our 10th Congress in 2016.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin - Time to face the bosses
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116122 , vital:34308
- Description: It is often said that it is not enough to be busy in the trade union movement or even in the corporate environment nowadays. The big question is: what is it you are busy with? What to do about countless scheduled or impromptu meetings, political sessions, mass campaigns, workshops, relationship and capacity- building consultations in the regions and nationally, has become another matter of daily debates in our structures. Everyone in the labour movement has a view on why this and that meeting or the other campaign has to be taken up with urgency. Many of us are regarded as experts on labour activities. And this results in time pressures and internal hurly-burly. It is because the organization must achieve its ultimate goals in the end. Ultimate goals inform our major organizational objectives ranked by their highest priority. These include progress on the motor recruitment campaign. the white-collar workers recruitment drive, monitoring major bargaining, food prices, fuel price increases and the latest CPI-X and regional policy workshops, culminating in the National Bargaining Conference in April 2007. Charles Schwab, the world's greatest industrialist. with great ability and perspicacity, is known as a most efficient, fabulously rich steel worker who led and transformed the Bethlehem Steel plant into the largest independent global steel producer. But, that did not immunize him from pressures and time-wasting interruptions. He once issued a challenge to a management consultant to show him the way to get more things done with his time and promised to "pay any fee within reason.” The consultant, without hesitation gave him a pad of blank paper and wrote on it: “Each night write down the things you have to do tomorrow, number them in the order of their importance. Start working on priority item number one and continue until finished. Then start item number two, then three, and do not worry if you have not managed to finish them.” The consultant was paid handsomely within seconds of dispensing this discreet advice. She was probably paid a million dollars or more. Some extremely important considerations arise in relation to this big question, as we intensify our 2007 programme of confronting the class logic of capital through collective bargaining. We have to look at them carefully, if we are to realize the objectives we have set for the giant metalworkers’ union this year.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/116122 , vital:34308
- Description: It is often said that it is not enough to be busy in the trade union movement or even in the corporate environment nowadays. The big question is: what is it you are busy with? What to do about countless scheduled or impromptu meetings, political sessions, mass campaigns, workshops, relationship and capacity- building consultations in the regions and nationally, has become another matter of daily debates in our structures. Everyone in the labour movement has a view on why this and that meeting or the other campaign has to be taken up with urgency. Many of us are regarded as experts on labour activities. And this results in time pressures and internal hurly-burly. It is because the organization must achieve its ultimate goals in the end. Ultimate goals inform our major organizational objectives ranked by their highest priority. These include progress on the motor recruitment campaign. the white-collar workers recruitment drive, monitoring major bargaining, food prices, fuel price increases and the latest CPI-X and regional policy workshops, culminating in the National Bargaining Conference in April 2007. Charles Schwab, the world's greatest industrialist. with great ability and perspicacity, is known as a most efficient, fabulously rich steel worker who led and transformed the Bethlehem Steel plant into the largest independent global steel producer. But, that did not immunize him from pressures and time-wasting interruptions. He once issued a challenge to a management consultant to show him the way to get more things done with his time and promised to "pay any fee within reason.” The consultant, without hesitation gave him a pad of blank paper and wrote on it: “Each night write down the things you have to do tomorrow, number them in the order of their importance. Start working on priority item number one and continue until finished. Then start item number two, then three, and do not worry if you have not managed to finish them.” The consultant was paid handsomely within seconds of dispensing this discreet advice. She was probably paid a million dollars or more. Some extremely important considerations arise in relation to this big question, as we intensify our 2007 programme of confronting the class logic of capital through collective bargaining. We have to look at them carefully, if we are to realize the objectives we have set for the giant metalworkers’ union this year.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin 18 - Time to face the Bosses
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117411 , vital:34512
- Description: Numsa's National Bargaining Conference is almost upon us. Wage negotiations in all Numsa's sectors will start from May. Bargaining is the focus of this Bulletin (pages 12-28). We give you some basic facts and figures to arm yourselves for centralised bargaining. We also include information on the new black economic empowerment (BEE) codes as well as employee share ownership schemes (esops). You will need this information to negotiate in your own companies. Division rocked the Cosatu congress last year. Woody Aroun summarises a paper of Joel Netshitenzhe on the issue of factions within organisations while Alex Mashilo gives his own views on how to deal with them. Cosatu's recent Central Executive Committee analysed the current political conjuncture. See if you agree with it and prepare yourself for the challenges that face you in a year in which both the SACP and the ANC will be holding key conferences. What do you think of Desai's challenges to Cosatu? Are you up to them? Take yourself through Enver Motala's piece on education. Did your schooling give you these critical skills? Are your children getting these skills from their schools? Are Numsa's education courses helping you to grasp those skills that you didn't get at school? And what about education and training at work - are these filling the gaps in your education?
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Mar 2007
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117411 , vital:34512
- Description: Numsa's National Bargaining Conference is almost upon us. Wage negotiations in all Numsa's sectors will start from May. Bargaining is the focus of this Bulletin (pages 12-28). We give you some basic facts and figures to arm yourselves for centralised bargaining. We also include information on the new black economic empowerment (BEE) codes as well as employee share ownership schemes (esops). You will need this information to negotiate in your own companies. Division rocked the Cosatu congress last year. Woody Aroun summarises a paper of Joel Netshitenzhe on the issue of factions within organisations while Alex Mashilo gives his own views on how to deal with them. Cosatu's recent Central Executive Committee analysed the current political conjuncture. See if you agree with it and prepare yourself for the challenges that face you in a year in which both the SACP and the ANC will be holding key conferences. What do you think of Desai's challenges to Cosatu? Are you up to them? Take yourself through Enver Motala's piece on education. Did your schooling give you these critical skills? Are your children getting these skills from their schools? Are Numsa's education courses helping you to grasp those skills that you didn't get at school? And what about education and training at work - are these filling the gaps in your education?
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin - Analysing alliance differences
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2006
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114053 , vital:33889
- Description: An annual Numsa Bulletin seems to be becoming the norm! However our aim is still to bring them out more often. Cosatu Congress is the focus for this Bulletin (pages 17- 39). We assume that you have Cosatu's resolutions and secretariat report so you will not find them here. We have instead included other background documents and articles that we think will help comrades debate resolutions in the September Congress. read the different understandings of the NDR by the alliance partners (page 18) how should we judge the actions of a developmental state (page 20) how Cosatu's jobs and poverty campaign can learn from Spain (page 23) understand what the Financial Sector Charter is all about (page 26) But there is much more to read - read the contributions from readers (pages 8-15), decide which brand of feminism you support (page 48) and do the test to see how gender sensitive you are. Learn tips from Aubrey ka Saki on how to avoid the VW- type situation (page 51) and absorb the findings of BEE research into Numsa-organised companies (page 55). How does your company compare? Do you have Esops in your company? Should Numsa adopt Esops as a way of going the BBBEE route or is it too risky? Study how the Merseta plans to complement Jipsa and how Bolivia is nationalising its hydrocarbons sector (despite a few hiccoughs!) Look at the glossary for definitions of those long words that always pop up at congresses and add words that are troubling you to it.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2006
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114053 , vital:33889
- Description: An annual Numsa Bulletin seems to be becoming the norm! However our aim is still to bring them out more often. Cosatu Congress is the focus for this Bulletin (pages 17- 39). We assume that you have Cosatu's resolutions and secretariat report so you will not find them here. We have instead included other background documents and articles that we think will help comrades debate resolutions in the September Congress. read the different understandings of the NDR by the alliance partners (page 18) how should we judge the actions of a developmental state (page 20) how Cosatu's jobs and poverty campaign can learn from Spain (page 23) understand what the Financial Sector Charter is all about (page 26) But there is much more to read - read the contributions from readers (pages 8-15), decide which brand of feminism you support (page 48) and do the test to see how gender sensitive you are. Learn tips from Aubrey ka Saki on how to avoid the VW- type situation (page 51) and absorb the findings of BEE research into Numsa-organised companies (page 55). How does your company compare? Do you have Esops in your company? Should Numsa adopt Esops as a way of going the BBBEE route or is it too risky? Study how the Merseta plans to complement Jipsa and how Bolivia is nationalising its hydrocarbons sector (despite a few hiccoughs!) Look at the glossary for definitions of those long words that always pop up at congresses and add words that are troubling you to it.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bulletin - Two enonomies, a global problem?
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2005
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114043 , vital:33882
- Description: It is a year since the last Numsa Bulletin was published in September 2004. Last year Numsa's educators forum discussed how we could use the Numsa Bulletin more effectively. Included in this Bulletin are a number of topical issues that challenge you to debate issues at your local shop steward councils or your workplaces: If you are violently opposed to GEAR, have your views challenged by Motlanthe (page 14), Get your local to analyse what was agreed in the Alliance Summit earlier this year and give your score on whether you think the Alliance has met its targets (pages 22-23). Debate differences between the ANC's NGC document on two economies and Cosatu's response (pages 24-27). If you are an engineering shop steward in Middelburg, Witbank, Vanderbijlpark, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, Vereeniging, then force a debate on the slow integration of House Agreements into the Main Agreement (pages 40-41). If you are an auto shop steward, then read Dumisa Ntuli's ideas (pages 42-44) on the shortcomings with black economic empowerment initiatives in the auto industry and debate the issues in your local/workplace. When was the last time you briefed members in your workplace? Do the organisational test on page 49 and see if you are up to the job. If you fail, redeem yourself by reading the health and safety, training and education sections and then debating and discussing the contents with your fellow members.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Sep 2005
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114043 , vital:33882
- Description: It is a year since the last Numsa Bulletin was published in September 2004. Last year Numsa's educators forum discussed how we could use the Numsa Bulletin more effectively. Included in this Bulletin are a number of topical issues that challenge you to debate issues at your local shop steward councils or your workplaces: If you are violently opposed to GEAR, have your views challenged by Motlanthe (page 14), Get your local to analyse what was agreed in the Alliance Summit earlier this year and give your score on whether you think the Alliance has met its targets (pages 22-23). Debate differences between the ANC's NGC document on two economies and Cosatu's response (pages 24-27). If you are an engineering shop steward in Middelburg, Witbank, Vanderbijlpark, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, Vereeniging, then force a debate on the slow integration of House Agreements into the Main Agreement (pages 40-41). If you are an auto shop steward, then read Dumisa Ntuli's ideas (pages 42-44) on the shortcomings with black economic empowerment initiatives in the auto industry and debate the issues in your local/workplace. When was the last time you briefed members in your workplace? Do the organisational test on page 49 and see if you are up to the job. If you fail, redeem yourself by reading the health and safety, training and education sections and then debating and discussing the contents with your fellow members.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bargaining monitor
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Aug 2001
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114021 , vital:33877
- Description: The strike is over! Two days of picketing and marching by thousands of Eskom workers across the country forced management back to the table to negotiate things they said “would never be negotiated!” Eskom agreed to: an increased wage offer. All workers are guaranteed a 7% increase while those on the minimums will get a 9% increase. From January 2002, all workers will receive a guaranteed 0.5% increase with those on the minimum rates receiving a guaranteed 1% increase both calculated on June 30, 2001 rates of pay. Fully paid maternity leave for 4 months with 30% for the 5th month. Negotiate further on the issue of a bargaining council for the sector and investigate inequities in the benefits. Management has also agreed to discuss the issue of only giving ‘market-related’ increases. These increases have resulted in massive gaps between the lowest paid and highest paid on each grade. Numsa is committed to closing these gaps.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Aug 2001
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114021 , vital:33877
- Description: The strike is over! Two days of picketing and marching by thousands of Eskom workers across the country forced management back to the table to negotiate things they said “would never be negotiated!” Eskom agreed to: an increased wage offer. All workers are guaranteed a 7% increase while those on the minimums will get a 9% increase. From January 2002, all workers will receive a guaranteed 0.5% increase with those on the minimum rates receiving a guaranteed 1% increase both calculated on June 30, 2001 rates of pay. Fully paid maternity leave for 4 months with 30% for the 5th month. Negotiate further on the issue of a bargaining council for the sector and investigate inequities in the benefits. Management has also agreed to discuss the issue of only giving ‘market-related’ increases. These increases have resulted in massive gaps between the lowest paid and highest paid on each grade. Numsa is committed to closing these gaps.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Travel Policy
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173691 , vital:42403
- Description: This policy shall be binding on all NUMSA staff who qualify for travel allowances/payment for the use of their motor vehicles in execution of their duties, which shall include but not be limited to: attending factories, workshops; taking members home after meetings; organising workers. Travel between home and office shall not be deemed to be travel on union business. This policy can only be changed or amended by a Central Committee meeting or a National Congress. The rate of compensation shall be reviewed from time to time.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173691 , vital:42403
- Description: This policy shall be binding on all NUMSA staff who qualify for travel allowances/payment for the use of their motor vehicles in execution of their duties, which shall include but not be limited to: attending factories, workshops; taking members home after meetings; organising workers. Travel between home and office shall not be deemed to be travel on union business. This policy can only be changed or amended by a Central Committee meeting or a National Congress. The rate of compensation shall be reviewed from time to time.
- Full Text:
NUMSA’s Staff Disciplinary Code and Procedure
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173722 , vital:42404
- Description: In circumstances in which the breach of a rule or failure to meet a required standard is not serious enough to warrant a final written warning or dismissal, the appropriate Local Chairperson, Regional Secretary or General Secretary may issue a verbal warning or first written warning after discussion with and counselling of the official.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/173722 , vital:42404
- Description: In circumstances in which the breach of a rule or failure to meet a required standard is not serious enough to warrant a final written warning or dismissal, the appropriate Local Chairperson, Regional Secretary or General Secretary may issue a verbal warning or first written warning after discussion with and counselling of the official.
- Full Text:
Staff Conditions of Employment as at 26 January 1999 as approved by NUMSA Central Committees and National Executive Committees
- NUMSA
Barbara Lomax Trade Union School for Women 25-30 October 1998 at Franshhoek mountain manor
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112503 , vital:33601
- Description: This was the first time I attended any Gender workshop or seminar. I can truly say that this was a real eyeopener to me. I would recommend this course or any other similar course to all women and not only to trade unionist , because we must empower ourselves.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/112503 , vital:33601
- Description: This was the first time I attended any Gender workshop or seminar. I can truly say that this was a real eyeopener to me. I would recommend this course or any other similar course to all women and not only to trade unionist , because we must empower ourselves.
- Full Text:
NUMSA - Motor industry participants workbook
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117852 , vital:34564
- Description: Industrial Councils were established in terms of the 1924 Industrial Conciliation Act (ICA). Even with the ICA giving way to the LRA of 1956, Industrial Councils remained the central forums for collective bargaining. Because African workers were excluded from the definition of an "employee" both in the ICA & LRA of 1956, African workers and their unions did not participate in Industrial Councils. As a result of this the.Councils were then used by white unions to promote the interests of skilled white workers. This situation only partially changed in 1979 when the LRA was changed to give African workers bargaining rights. From then on African workers and their unions could participate in Industrial Councils.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: July 1998
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117852 , vital:34564
- Description: Industrial Councils were established in terms of the 1924 Industrial Conciliation Act (ICA). Even with the ICA giving way to the LRA of 1956, Industrial Councils remained the central forums for collective bargaining. Because African workers were excluded from the definition of an "employee" both in the ICA & LRA of 1956, African workers and their unions did not participate in Industrial Councils. As a result of this the.Councils were then used by white unions to promote the interests of skilled white workers. This situation only partially changed in 1979 when the LRA was changed to give African workers bargaining rights. From then on African workers and their unions could participate in Industrial Councils.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Bargaining proposal - Engineering industry
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154188 , vital:39618
- Description: The NUMSA Central Committee endorsed the National Bargaining Conference's deliberations held on the 15 - 17 March and mandated the union negotiators to make reductions of the apartheid wage gap the main thrust of the negotiation as part of an integrated package. We are proposing an integrated package of changes to all aspects of the industry to be negotiated in the process of negotiations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/154188 , vital:39618
- Description: The NUMSA Central Committee endorsed the National Bargaining Conference's deliberations held on the 15 - 17 March and mandated the union negotiators to make reductions of the apartheid wage gap the main thrust of the negotiation as part of an integrated package. We are proposing an integrated package of changes to all aspects of the industry to be negotiated in the process of negotiations.
- Full Text:
NUMSA Congress News - Let us work together as a family of metalworkers
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114065 , vital:33891
- Description: From the 25 to the 29 September, NUMSA held its Fifth National Congress. Seven hundred and sixty-two delegates came from all our locals. They had prepared well. We saw from the debate. I was afraid before the Congress. I was not happy. 80% j of the shop stewards you elected in 1996 were new. I thought the level of debate at the Congress was not going to be high. But I was wrong - the level of debate was high. We must be proud of ourselves. Thank you for mandating your representatives to Congress - that is what we mean by worker control and democracy. We are doing our work under different conditions compared to before April 27, 1994. We have a democratically elected government in place. It is not as hostile as its predecessor. But the reality of the situation is that as workers in the workplace, nothing has changed. Management is coming to us with new ideas like kaizen, team-work, etc. These are all about eliminating waste. They define waste as anything that is not absolutely essential to production. They want to get to the lowest levels of inputs, equipment, material and workers. This means more and more control over workers’ time and activities, a faster workplace, longer and more irregular hours. They standardise jobs and make the workplace more regimented. So we have to focus our efforts collectively on our “core business” - to represent our members effectively. We have to fight for job security, training, technical skills and better increases. We have to do all these under difficult conditions, for example, reduction of tariffs to conform with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation. We do not want the country’s economy to be cushioned forever but the drastic restructuring results in job loss and factory closures. We must have an alternative in place to ensure that people do not once more swell the swollen ranks of the unemployed. Work organisation is taking place in different forms in different workplaces. We are involved in these processes. I know that when shop stewards give report backs and persuade members to accept certain things in exchange for job security, members tend to regard them as management stooges. We mustn’t think like that. It is causing division amongst us. Outside the workplace, the balance of forces is not in favour of the working class for reasons that we all know. We must work together as workers, shop stewards, administrators and organisers to build our Union into a coherent vehicle. Only a strong vehicle can play a leading role in freeing our people economically. Let us work together as the family of metalworkers!
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Oct 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/114065 , vital:33891
- Description: From the 25 to the 29 September, NUMSA held its Fifth National Congress. Seven hundred and sixty-two delegates came from all our locals. They had prepared well. We saw from the debate. I was afraid before the Congress. I was not happy. 80% j of the shop stewards you elected in 1996 were new. I thought the level of debate at the Congress was not going to be high. But I was wrong - the level of debate was high. We must be proud of ourselves. Thank you for mandating your representatives to Congress - that is what we mean by worker control and democracy. We are doing our work under different conditions compared to before April 27, 1994. We have a democratically elected government in place. It is not as hostile as its predecessor. But the reality of the situation is that as workers in the workplace, nothing has changed. Management is coming to us with new ideas like kaizen, team-work, etc. These are all about eliminating waste. They define waste as anything that is not absolutely essential to production. They want to get to the lowest levels of inputs, equipment, material and workers. This means more and more control over workers’ time and activities, a faster workplace, longer and more irregular hours. They standardise jobs and make the workplace more regimented. So we have to focus our efforts collectively on our “core business” - to represent our members effectively. We have to fight for job security, training, technical skills and better increases. We have to do all these under difficult conditions, for example, reduction of tariffs to conform with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation. We do not want the country’s economy to be cushioned forever but the drastic restructuring results in job loss and factory closures. We must have an alternative in place to ensure that people do not once more swell the swollen ranks of the unemployed. Work organisation is taking place in different forms in different workplaces. We are involved in these processes. I know that when shop stewards give report backs and persuade members to accept certain things in exchange for job security, members tend to regard them as management stooges. We mustn’t think like that. It is causing division amongst us. Outside the workplace, the balance of forces is not in favour of the working class for reasons that we all know. We must work together as workers, shop stewards, administrators and organisers to build our Union into a coherent vehicle. Only a strong vehicle can play a leading role in freeing our people economically. Let us work together as the family of metalworkers!
- Full Text:
NUMSA Proposals on the APE Co-ordinating Forum.
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Jan 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134850 , vital:37210
- Description: Managament/employee consultative committees are an important tool for improving plant productivity, increasing employee involvement In decision making and preventing Industrial disputes. Properly structured they are the basic building block of productivity. Consultation, worker participation, co-ordinating forums and so on are ail variations on the Idea of establishing forums composed of management and labour to discuss a broader range of issues than "traditional" industrial relations. NUMSA believes that it is^neither side long term interest to establish a Coordinating Forum that is not directly connected to the House Agreement negotiations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: Jan 1996
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134850 , vital:37210
- Description: Managament/employee consultative committees are an important tool for improving plant productivity, increasing employee involvement In decision making and preventing Industrial disputes. Properly structured they are the basic building block of productivity. Consultation, worker participation, co-ordinating forums and so on are ail variations on the Idea of establishing forums composed of management and labour to discuss a broader range of issues than "traditional" industrial relations. NUMSA believes that it is^neither side long term interest to establish a Coordinating Forum that is not directly connected to the House Agreement negotiations.
- Full Text:
The road ahead
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113080 , vital:33699
- Description: Comrades, in 1993 we set out what we wanted to win by June 1996. Then we achieved the victory that we had fought so hard for - a non-racial government that is democratic and transparent. But on the shopfloor we still see apartheid: racial inequalities - high wage differences between workers and management, poorly trained workers (mostly black and our members) racist management who oppress our members, badly managed factories with S old machinery. All these are obstacles that prevent us building worker power, worker control and a better life for all. Read what we have won. Discuss what we should campaign around in 1995.
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/113080 , vital:33699
- Description: Comrades, in 1993 we set out what we wanted to win by June 1996. Then we achieved the victory that we had fought so hard for - a non-racial government that is democratic and transparent. But on the shopfloor we still see apartheid: racial inequalities - high wage differences between workers and management, poorly trained workers (mostly black and our members) racist management who oppress our members, badly managed factories with S old machinery. All these are obstacles that prevent us building worker power, worker control and a better life for all. Read what we have won. Discuss what we should campaign around in 1995.
- Full Text:
NUMSA - Gender and Globalisation group discussion
- NUMSA
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117816 , vital:34561
- Description: In the past, the government in many countries provided social welfare benefits to people. These benefits included things like public health care and free education. This is now changing in many countries. Governments today provide fewer services and benefits to people. Instead they hand this job over the private sector. This means that people have to start paying before they get a service. If families can’t afford to pay private companies for these services, then someone in the family has to fill the gap. Generally it is women who have to: care for the sick when it is too expensive to take them to hospital, collect firewood because electricity is too expensive, walk miles to collect water from the river because piped water is too expensive. Many governments have been forced to change the role they play in the economy by the structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposes on them as one of the conditions for lending them money
- Full Text:
- Authors: NUMSA
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: NUMSA
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117816 , vital:34561
- Description: In the past, the government in many countries provided social welfare benefits to people. These benefits included things like public health care and free education. This is now changing in many countries. Governments today provide fewer services and benefits to people. Instead they hand this job over the private sector. This means that people have to start paying before they get a service. If families can’t afford to pay private companies for these services, then someone in the family has to fill the gap. Generally it is women who have to: care for the sick when it is too expensive to take them to hospital, collect firewood because electricity is too expensive, walk miles to collect water from the river because piped water is too expensive. Many governments have been forced to change the role they play in the economy by the structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposes on them as one of the conditions for lending them money
- Full Text: