Celebrating in the east
Oh what a significant event the Ekurhuleni region had on February 22 at Kwa Thema Hall. Members gathered in big numbers to voice their feelings about this great trade union from this great region on the eastern side of Jozi named Ekurhuleni – or hand of peace.
I was very excited by the speeches I heard at this event from the former Numsa President, David Madupela, the Chairperson of the Region, Joshua Manana, from the General Secretary, Silumko Nondwangu and the regional secretary, George Choshane.
These speeches taught me two lessons. The first is that the possibility of changing and improving things is in the hands of the workers. The second is that only a free people can run a free country.
Numsa has played a very important role in defeating and building a new working class organisation, as we were talking the language of organisational renewal and the deepening of service to members. Members' comments and questions taught me something too, that they can talk when ears are to the ground for them to talk.
They also taught me that they do not however hold to nationalisation as an innately progressive or worker-friendly project.
Richard Nzima, Strip Steel shop steward
Down with downward variation
As a Numsa shop steward based in Pretoria East, Numsa's objectives are to tilt the balance within the working class which was previously built by the apartheid regime. Numsa's long term objective is to uplift those with less benefits to be on the same level as those with better ones.
Downward variation of better benefits is not on top of the agenda. Should this kind of exercise prevail, then we as Numsa will be failing to address these fundamental issues like better benefits.
If a company had better benefits which is above the main agreement and that company is organised by Numsa – then I would suggest that we follow that path because it will better the lives of the working class.
Our company is intending to standardise the benefits, as a result of this, two plants have 36 days sick leave in a three year cycle and two plants have 30 days in that same cycle. So the management want to make all the plants have 30 days in the three year cycle.
Numsa has been sweating for 15 solid years to extricate the working class from the shackles of the capitalist. The standardisation of sick leave to 30 days is to please the shareholders at the expense of workers. I am raising this issue because comrades might find themselves in this similar situation.
I'm urging comrades within South Africa that any benefits that a plant achieves that are above the main agreement, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act or another plant in the same company, must be maintained.
Away with downward variation of better benefits and phambili with better benefits for the working class. Members' comments are welcome.
Chris Kolote, JCI shop steward
Looking after our future needs
As you may probably know, most metalworkers don't have the time and access to most of the information concerning financial growth and self-development. As you may know, employers are recruiting young employees but where will they be in 5 to 10 years time? We have to find a way to stop this continuous financial struggle and lack of stability. 'People are hungry with bread in their hands'.
How come we don't have shelter, whilst we are earning wages? My suggestion is to talk to the benefits committee to ask employers to increase benefits and subsidies. According to the NBF agreement (wage increases and conditions of employment, July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004 ), wages increase annually at the rate of 8.33%.
What if instead of increasing wages we increase benefits – eg. more than 5 years your benefits become retirement, sickness benefit, medical aid and housing allowance. Or eg. more than 10 years service your benefit becomes retirement, sickness benefit, medical aid, housing allowance and car allowance.
To avoid giving people things they don't need, this can be done on a voluntary basis by the employee. Years go by and if you look at your achievements they amount to nothing. But our problems do not end here, it is up to us to improve and better our standards of living and our families' basic needs.
Mpho Kgabo, Nissan, Rosslyn
Workers' language
Workers say:
comrade means friend (brother, Mr and Mrs) worker is a shop steward, shop steward is an organiser there is no stupid worker but rather a worker that has misunderstood no experience but information no informer but an unorganised no blaming but criticise work collectively not individually member of the union is an owner/director union member is a teacher of the community once you are a unionist you are a mobiliser
Any shop steward must attend workers' college, workers' school and come back to the workforce, teach (kgabudisa) workers' language. You can't be a good shop steward unless you attend union meetings. Viva workers' voice, Viva! Down with Scorpions (sell-out) down. Halala Numsa, halala!
Worker at HFT, Wadeville Local
Dear Numsa News
I have been reading all issues of Numsa News since I left in December 2001. I wish to commend you on the Number 6 November 2002 issue and wish to comment on some articles which appeared in there.
It was saddening to read about cde AT Qabula's death. I have a copy of his book “Cruel Beyond Belief†and am encouraged to read that you want more people to get it for reading. In my view it is a very inspiring book, especially for new shopstewards.
The Numsa 15th anniversary celebrations organised by the Western Cape Region is a giant step towards encouraging other regions to do likewise, perhaps on a rotational basis.
It also helps to expose hidden abilities that worker leaders have, culturally and otherwise; The story of cde Sam Mokoetla, from my former local (Rosslyn) is an example of the good fruits of patience. Thumbs up to the NUMSA Legal team and the local organisers; I also got myself a bumper 2003 Numsa calendar to keep old memories.
Keep writing. Mal'bongwe Qolo, Soshanguve
(Qolo was a Numsa organiser and Numsa writer. We wish him well! Editor)
Source
Numsa News