Detailed statement on the decision to suspend the SAMWU national strike
On the 9th of May 2011 SAMWU held its Special National Executive Committee meeting [NEC] to consider the political engagement held with the African National Congress [ANC], which started last week, to which the Congress of SA Trade Unions [COSATU] was part of. The meeting with the ANC on the 9/5/2011 was comprised of the top brass of the ANC led by its President, comrade J Zuma, COSATU leadership led by its president, comrade S Dlamini and the entire SAMWU national leadership.
Our NEC welcomed the outcome of the discussion that provided the basis to deal with the challenges and problems SAMWU is facing, including but not limited to; the continuous attacks on the SAMWU membership and leadership at various municipalities (Majority of these suspensions and dismissals are based on politically motivated actions), the negative effect brought upon by privatization in the local government sector and the controversial municipal systems amendment bill which undermines collective bargaining.
Part of the issues dealt with in the engagement with the ANC also included the banning of labour brokers, which denies many workers decent employment. The ANC shared the same view on labour brokers and have indicated that this will be dealt with through proposed labour amendments. The Unions NEC identified this area as crucial, for real progress to be made, especially within government.
Having considered the outcome of the meeting with the ANC, our NEC noted the progress made on certain issues, cognisant of some having to be a matter of process but maintained that such process must be completed within specific time frames.
On the basis of the above we resolved to suspend the program of action which was due to start on the 10/5/2011.
Noting the process agreed to deal with the issues at hand the NEC further resolved that the priority issues (i.e. reinstatement of dismissed/suspended workers, banning of labour brokers, end to privatization of municipal assets/services and the resolution on the wage curve system for local government sector which Salga complicated.) must be tackled urgently and the remaining ones concluded within 30 days from the 9/5/2011.
We will monitor closely progress made on the priority issues which we have mentioned above. The progress made on the priority issues will be assessed and reported to the Unions Special NEC to be convened on the 16/5/2011.
The NEC held yesterday also expressed its undivided support for the ANC in the upcoming Local Government elections and resolved to encourage its members to vote ANC.
The political engagement further decided to discourage any adversarial approach during this process from either side, in order to give the agreed process sufficient time to deal with the matters at hand.
Statement issued by SAMWU's General Secretary Mthandeki Nhlapo, May 10 2011
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