FEDUSA

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today came out in support of its affiliated trade union, UTATU (the United Train and Allied Trade Union) regarding recent Soweto train crash.  While human error is being claimed as the main cause of the accident, FEDUSA found that lacking investment in crucial infrastructure was the underlying cause.

FEDUSA supports UTATU’s challenge of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) claim that human error was the main cause of last Friday’s Johannesburg train crash that injured more than 850 passengers.  “Of course there will be instances of human error when things go wrong.  Train drivers are not super-human.  Like workers in every job from state president to street sweeper, they make mistakes,” commented FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary Krister Janse van Rensburg.

Continue reading FEDUSA CHALLENGES PRASA’S CLAIMS OF HUMAN ERROR

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) support the Executive Directors representing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in their calls for better managerial representation at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Serious concern has been raised regarding the convention that the selection of the Managing Director of the IMF is made, in practice, on the basis of nationality.

“If the recent global final crisis has taught us anything, it is that international financial institutions need to be reformed. Unfortunately the growing roles of developing countries are not always recognised or drawn on when institutions such as the IMF establish new growth strategies within the global context,” commented FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary, Krister Janse van Rensburg.

FEDUSA fully notes BRICS representatives’ concerns regarding recent public statements made by high-level European officials indicating that the position of Managing Director should continue to be occupied by a European.

“The next Managing Director should be simultaneously accountable and credible as well as adequately representative of the emerging market and developing IMF members,” said Janse van Rensburg.

FEDUSA is optimistic that the next IMF Managing Director will be committed to innovation and continuing the process of transformation and reform of this institution in answer to the new realities and changing nature of the world economy.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) supports the South African Policing Union’s (SAPU) call to immediately address the escalating number of police officers being killed in the line of duty.

“FEDUSA is gravely concerned about the recent increase in police killings and wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of officers who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty.” said FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary, Krister Janse van Rensburg.

FEDUSA’s calls for better protection for police officers come in the wake of an alarming number of police murders. Two police officers from Kraaifontein in the Western Cape were gunned down in the early hours of Sunday morning, a police lieutenant-colonel was recently shot dead at the Ennerdale police station and a constable was also fatally injured in Mamelodi Gardens.

FEDUSA notes the comments of SAPU General Secretary, Oscar Skommere, who has himself indicated that this very issue has been raised with the management of the police, Parliament and the portfolio committee, however police killings continue.

Continue reading FEDUSA SAYS COP KILLINGS MUST STOP

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton & French President, Nicolas Sarkozy

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is currently en route to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) 50th Anniversary Forum and Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris this week. The United States Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan and French President, Nicolas Sarkozy will be among the dignities addressing delegates this week.

Prior to commencement of the OECD Forum FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George, will be participating in the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) plenary session. TUAC forms a platform for engagement, consultation and development between labour unions and representatives of the OECD.

“The OECD’s Ministerial Council Meeting will bring together international leaders, policy makers and stakeholders from OECD countries and emerging economies to discuss new sources of economic growth, job creation, gender equity, rising food and energy prices, and global development,” explained FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary, Krister Janse van Rensburg.

Continue reading FEDUSA SET TO MEET SARKOZY AND CLINTON IN PARIS