Numsa began its worker-leader relationship building (ear to the ground) and local government elections campaign in February 2006 with great fanfare.
Numsa general secretary, Silumko Nondwangu, together with 1st vice president Ben Khoza, 2nd vice president Cedric Gina and Kwazulu Natal regional secretary Petros Ngcobo were received with a rousing ovation by metalworkers in factories as they went on a road show listening to workers’ problems.
It is Numsa’s first of a series of imbizos (workplace rallies) in 2006. Metalworker leaders visited a number of companies in Durban, Isipingo, Pinetown, Cato Ridge, New Germany, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and Newcastle.
Intense debates and questions revitalised leaders and workers alike cementing the link between the two.
Widowed Duduzile Majola has worked as a machinist for six years for a big car seat manufacturer, Aunde South Africa. She earns just R15 an hour and has remained a contract worker for the past six years.
Her tribulations have become a part of her daily life at work and at home. She has never tasted any of the basic employment benefits which are taken for granted by the majority of workers.
She lives in a squalid flat with three children in the Isipingo business centre. Her only wish is to get a permanent and secure job in order to be able to plan properly for her children’s education and provide a decent house.
“For how long should we wait in desperation? I have been patiently waiting for that day to be freed from this trauma. I am not sure whether we will be forced to work short time or dismissed for operational reasons because of the government’s Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP). We are not certain if we will be given a day off to cast our vote on March 1. Will you do something to change our conditions of employment,” she asked Nondwangu.
Nondwangu, in turn, asked the estimated 1 200 crowd of predominantly women in blue overalls to lead a campaign to “end the exploitation of women, free themselves from the shackles” and abolish the labour broking system. He also appealed to permanent employees to support temporary workers in their struggle for improved working conditions.
“We visited you because we are proud of the resilience displayed by women in the union and wanted to get an opportunity to listen to your problems. We want to encourage and direct you to channel those strengths to achieve more benefits from the employers,” he said.
Aunde SA boasted a 1 600 strong work force, with 60% employed on a contract basis. But, the latest agreement reached between Numsa and management will soon change the situation and ensure that 70% of employees are employed permanently.