Johnathan Paoli
THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu)’s Day of Action kicked off successfully across the country, culminating in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Cosatu applied for the Section 77 certificate from NEDLAC, making this a protected strike.
The strike centered around certain themes, namely, what the federation calls the attacks on collective bargaining in all sectors, reduction of high interest rates, repo rates, addressing the high unemployment rate, prevention of crime and corruption, energy and water crises, Gender-based Violence, and the Municipal System Act.
Copies of the Memorandum were handed over to the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Department of Employment and Labour, and the Office of the Premier.
Cosatu Gauteng urged all workers, regardless of their sector or affiliation, to stand in solidarity with the federation and participate in this important march. Together, we can fight for a more just and equitable society that prioritizes the rights and well-being of the working class.
The Provincial Executive Council of Cosatu Limpopo welcomed reports that were presented in preparation towards the National Day of Action. They stated that “Limpopo Province will have one march which will converge in Polokwane on the National Day of Action. The gathering point is Hospital Park (Eastern side of Pietersburg Hospital) on Magazyn Street. We call on members and supporters of the action to gather at the park from 8h30am.”
Cosatu in the province of KwaZulu Natal staged a march in the Durban CBD from King Dinizulu Park through Dr. Pixley ka Seme to City Hall where the memorandums were handed over to the Premier, the Reserve Bank, Eskom, eThekwini Municipality and Transnet.
The former Cosatu President, Sidumo Dlamini told workers in Durban that he warned them about all what is happening now during his last address as the leader of the labour federation.
During that address, Dlamini urged workers to give meaning to the “New Dawn” and not just celebrate change as it were
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) was in full support of the Cosatu National Day of Action as it brought important problems to the attention of the different spheres of government.
These problems include non-implementation of collective bargaining agreements, non-filling of vacant posts due to budget cuts and corruption, to constant cutting of supplies of both water and electricity to homes and government service centres like clinics and hospitals
The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (CEPPWAWU) expressed its support for the National Day of Action by stating that; “Cosatu programmes are CEPPWAWU programmes. The challenges highlighted by Cosatu that prompted Cosatu to embark on action are actually the lived experiences of CEPPWAWU members.”
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