FEDUSA

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) agreed at a leadership meeting at National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) this evening to start the process to revive the South African Confederation of Trade Unions (SACOTU).

Leaders from the respective trade union federations acknowledged that the major obstacle to the operational output of SACOTU was the lack of a joint programme of action. The meeting agreed that collective plans and strategies going forward will be based on the national priorities of workers such as; the struggle for access to equality education and healthcare, social security and retirement reform, skills development, state invention in the economy, collective proactive action in Southern African Development Community (SADC) and international representation.

The leadership of NACTU and FEDUSA agree that collective bargaining is the bedrock of SACOTU and representatives undertook to mobilize our affiliates to work together and develop joint mandates on various bargaining councils based on joint research to ensure a living wage for all workers across all sectors.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins the rest of South Africa in celebrating National Heritage Day on 24 September 2011.

“It is often easy to only focus on the negative or problematic areas in our country, however Heritage Day should remind all South Africans of the unique and diverse country we live in and the rich history we can boast as a truly multicultural nation,” commented FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

FEDUSA will be taking the opportunity to remember its historical roots, its periods of transition and change and its goals and aspirations going forward into 2012.

“It is so important for us to celebrate both our individual and collective cultural heritage and respect the diverse range of beliefs and traditions that each person and group is free to articulate and practice. The negative labelling and classifying of people along racial, ethnic or gendered lines is a danger to social cohesion and moving forward as a united South Africa. FEDUSA itself has had to work though progressive transformation and continues to strive to protect the rights of a diverse workforce across a range of industries. South Africa belongs to all South Africans. Our rich and varied histories, cultures, traditions and beliefs must be recognised as assets that promote variety and colour,” concluded George.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply concerned with the ever-increasing cost of living. “FEDUSA was really expecting the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to announce an interest rate cut today. South Africa is faced with very slow economic growth and high unemployment, there is a dire need to stimulate consumer spending and investment,” said FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

Despite the decision of the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Gill Marcus, to keep the interest repurchase rate unchanged, administered prices such as the higher electricity and other municipal rates increased and the price of petrol is forecast to increase in the near future, all factors that will place further burden on workers.

“Our Gauteng-based members are also very concerned about the implications and affects that the proposed open road toll system (ORTS) will have on their income and cost of living. FEDUSA is currently negotiating our Section 77 protest against ORTS at National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) today,” commented George.

“Government, Business and Organised Labour need to work together in order to find lasting and sustainable macroeconomic solutions that simultaneously target inflation and address unemployment. If we don’t do this now, we will certainly run into problems later this year when the MPC will undoubtedly want to raise repo rates to curb the inflation caused by fuel and food price hikes,” concluded George.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), represented by its affiliates in the education sector the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU) and the National Teachers’ Union (NATU), renewed its commitment to implementing the signed Accord on Basic Education and Partnerships with Schools in May 2011.

The Basic Education Accord outlines the need to improve the quality of basic education in South Africa by working towards changing the mindset of teachers, parents and learners as well as addressing and actively supporting a campaign to adopt poorly-performing schools.

“FEDUSA is pleased that this Accord recognises education as a societal issue and is determined to ensure that these commitments are implemented and the necessary structural changes made. We are currently faced with dismal matric pass results, increasing dropout rates and rising learner pregnancy. These societal problems as well as structural inefficiencies must be addressed,” said NATU Vice President, Sibusiso Mchunu.

Continue reading FEDUSA COMMITTED TO QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL