Dear Numsa News
I have been a member of Numsa for many, many years. But I am very disappointed and sad in the manner in which the leadership of Cosatu is behaving. I totally disagree with their statement regarding the re-appointment of Jacob Zuma.
Mr Zuma has told South Africa that he wants to prove his innocence in the Court of law so that these matters can come to rest.
Our brothers in the labour movement want Mr Mbeki to re-instate Mr Zuma. Something is very, very wrong because the courts are there to handle the matter. In my history as a member of Numsa I had stay at home whenever there is a stay-way. Starting now I doubt their leadership skills.
We are not small children, Mr Madisha I think it is better for you to return to class and teach the children. Cosatu has totally lost control, please sit down and have some vision.
Concerned worker
In a bold move, Cosatu has put HIV/Aids centre stage in May Day celebrations across the country. The May Day theme will be “Each one teach one! Test, treat and fight for life”.
In the lead up to May Day, Cosatu will join with the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) in a HIV/Aids conference on April 21 to 22.
The conference will develop a People’s Charter and “launch a campaign to build solidarity with people with Aids, with a special focus on fighting stigma and discrimination.”
By 2009 Cosatu plans to train 5000 shop stewards to provide basic counselling and treatment education.
On May Day itself the three groupings will hold demonstrations to “identify recalcitrant employers” and march to the Chamber of Mines, to local hospitals and clinics “to raise awareness in communities about health care services and appropriate treatment.”
Make sure you are one of the marchers!
Jobs campaign
Cosatu’s jobs campaign is still on the go. Dates have been amended because of all the holidays over Easter. Mark May 9 in your diaries. This is the day for the manufacturing sector strike.
Date
Action
April 19
Manufacturing sector summits at provincial and national level to coordinate sector strikes in May
April 20
Services sector summits at provincial and national level to coordinate sector strikes in May
April 24
Mining and construction sector summits at provincial and national level to coordinate sector strikes in May
April 25
Public sector summits at provincial and national level to coordinate sector strikes in May
May 9
Manufacturing sector strike
May 11
Public sector strike
May 16
Mining sector strike
May 18
Services sector strike