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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is looking forward to the announcement by

Governor of the Reserve Bank, Gill Marcus tomorrow on the repurchase rate. The Monetary Policy

Committee will be making the announcement on 22 July and FEDUSA is hoping that the interest

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today attended a press conference at the

National Treasury where the Organisation for Economics and Co-operation and Development (OECD)

revealed its Economic Survey for South Africa 2010. The survey suggests that macroeconomic policy

framework has helped to improve growth performance of the past two decades, but the 2008-09 down-turns

highlighted the limitations of the domestic-demand-led growth path which has characterized South Africa

the last few years. Also indicating that in order to change the devastatingly high unemployment figures,

there would be a need to implement a more rapid recovery growth path by creating jobs. But also Angel

Gurria Secretary General of the OECD suggests that education should also be placed high on its priority

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has expressed its deep concern and support for the

Public Sector Unions presented by the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC) who represents 14 unions and

about 1,3 million public sector employees of the State in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council

(PSCBC), who has declared formal disputes on 9 June without much notice from the employer... read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) says that the time for South Africa to shine has finally

come and that the atmosphere in the country surrounding the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup is absolutely

contagious. South Africa has come a long way since 1994 which is felt in the sense of incredible

patriotism share by all as we celebrate the invaluable attention and economic growth that the World Cup is

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will once again commemorate and supports the Annual World Day

against Child Labour that will take place on 12 June 2010 that will put a spotlight on the need for urgent national and

international steps to accelerate action against child labour. Coinciding with the ever so exciting 2010 Fifa Soccer

World Cup, the theme for this year’s World Day against Child Labour is, “Go for the goal- end child labour”. ...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) believes that the road to recover from the global economic crisis

through the social partners negotiating a New Growth Path Agreement that will establishment of a financial transaction

tax (FTT) that will finance economic recovery, job creation, achievement of developmental goals and climate change

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) General Secretary Dennis George is currently attending the

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) meeting held in Paris today. The purpose

for the meeting is to discuss the release of the OECD report on: "What is the economic outlook for OECD countries?"...read more.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has today pledged its support for its Affiliate the Health and

Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (HOSPERSA) who has gone on strike today. The HOSPERSA

members from Netcare has chosen to picket outside various Netcare institutions today in protest that the wage

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) are seriously concerned that Netcare has made no effort to avert a

full-blown strike by its Affiliate the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (HOSPERSA) at 11 Netcare

Hospital in 5 provinces. Workers are demanding a 12% wage, while Netcare has only offered 8.5% that has been

As the Transnet strike currently underway, continues to intensify the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) stands

firm in supporting its Affiliate the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions’ (UTATU) in their bid to help improve the lives of

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its Affiliate the United Transport and Allied Trade Unions (UTATU) has decided to seek intervention from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) with regards to their current strike action against employer Transnet.

UTATU officially began their strike action today after giving their membership the opportunity to consider a wage offer by Transnet of 11%. However the membership has declined this offer and has made a demand for a 15% wage increase across the board....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) fully supports the $3.75 billion loan of the South African Government for

Eskom from the World Bank, that will help to fund the Parastatal’s energy generating projects, namely: $ 3.05 billion to fund

the Medupi coal-fired power station, $ 260 million for investments in renewable energy ( a 100 megawatt- capacity Concentrated

Solar Power (CSP), as well as $ 485 million for investment in low-carbon energy efficiency components comprising road to rail

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply shocked and dismayed by the brutal killing of Eugene

Terreblanche on 3 April 2010. The Federation has announced its firm condemnations of the killing that was reported by the

FEDUSA is saddened by the killing and believes that murder is never the answer no matter the so-called justification thereof, if

the dispute was related to any labour dispute it could have been dealt with by the correct channels such as the CCMA, the

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) says that the federation is concerned about the nationally piloted demerit

system by the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offenses (AARTO), as the system might have unfair consequences,

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) recently participated in a Round-table discussion that was held in Berlin,

Germany from 8 to 9 March 2010. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade

Nzimande, the South African Ambassador, Sonwade Funde, Government Officials and representatives of the Confederation of

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) strongly opposes the very unreasonable electricity tariff increases of 35%

proposed by State Owned Enterprise, Eskom. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will be announcing its

decision on the application of Eskom on Wednesday this week. Eskom has under the Multi-Year Price Determination 2010/11

to 2012/13 applied for a price increase of 35% for each of the next three years....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today thanked Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan a positive and pragmatic

approach to the 2010 Budget speech, knowing that it is one of the most difficult budget speeches ever delivered since 1994.

It was a difficult budget in light of the recession but recovery is uncertain due to less available resources, yet FEDUSA believes

that the focus of allocations is correct. Overall we would like to congratulate Minister on a very balanced first maiden budget

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) hopes that the National Budget Speech on 17 February by Finance

Minister Pravin Gordhan will be a positive speech that will promote a more inclusive growth path for South Africa. Also a

speech that will elaborate in dept the promises made my President Jacob Zuma during his State of the Nation Address last

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is disappointed and uninspired by President Jacob Zuma’s State of the

Nation Address at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town. FEDUSA is of the opinion that the address lacked detail on the

current sad state of affairs of the country as well as the leadership expected from a state president...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has high hopes for the up and coming State of the Nation Address by

President Jacob Zuma at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town, on 11 February. FEDUSA believes that this year the

President and its cabinet must live-up to the promises to reform South Africa from a country wrought with unemployment and

corruption to a country with a sound economy and one that strives to put the promotion of Decent Work at the centre of all

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today reflected on the freshly released matric results of 2009.

These results have been very eagerly anticipated by learners, parents and teachers alike. Unfortunately, the country

once again sees a decrease in the general pass rate from 62.5% in 2008 to 60.7% in the 2009 National Senior

According to FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George, the Federation has two main priorities namely that of job

creation and the promotion of Decent Work for all workers as such; FEDUSA has welcomed the Ministers stance on the

protection of the poor in the country. “The plight of the poor and those that are not currently working is an issue that has

been severely aggravated over the last few months as the country experienced the effects of the global economic crisis..read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its affiliate the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) condemns the

huge salary increase of 32% awarded to McCarthy CEO Brand Pretorius given the current global economic crisis that has

According to MISA CEO Dana de Villiers this huge salary increase is shocking in light of the fact that the retail motor sector

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is urgently calling on the Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim

Patel, to stage an economic summit that reviews all economic policies with a strong focus on job creation.

According to FEDUSA General Secretary the economy needs to be mobilised in such a ways that the creation of Decent

Work will take centre stage...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has strongly opposed the very high electricity tariff

increases over the last few weeks, as the Federation believes that the proposed increase of 45% for the

next three years would adversely affect the South Africa worker who has had to endure a very difficult financial

year due to the global economic crisis. As such FEDUSA is very pleased that the African National Congress (ANC)

is also opposing these very high tariffs indicating that the party was not comfortable with the increase that

would put immense pressure on the consumer...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) believes that the recent resignation by ESKOM

Chairperson Bobby Godsell is a great loss. The South African Parastatal has recently come under great

According to recent news reports Godsell has resigned because Eskom’s board accepted an offer by Maroga

to resign on October 28. Maroga then denied tendering his resignation a day later...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is proud to say that the Federation welcomes the

United Nations declaration to adopt 18 July as the official Nelson Mandela Day.

“As of 2010 the world will join will all stand together to commemorate the life and noble works of ex-President

Nelson Mandela and we as FEDUSA fully supports this honourable day,” says FEDUSA General

Secretary Dennis George...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be presenting parliament with a submission on the Green

Paper of the National Strategic Planning today. The Green Paper on National Strategic Planning is a consultative

document in which the Minister of Planning in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, describes an institutional framework

for planning, proposing a National Planning Commission (NPC) and discusses the outputs of planning...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be making a submission of comment to

Parliament today, on the recently delivered Medium Term Budget (MTBPS) by Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan.

FEDUSA has noticed that although the MTBPS has made provision for various factors such as a

greater involvement of government in the economy, ranging from a leftist approach, implying a greater

role for government and a higher budget deficit, to a free market approach, it can be deduced from the

different elements of the economic policy strategy contained in the MTBPS that the Minister would not

deviate much from government’s policy framework adopted in the 1996 GEAR strategy...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its affiliate the South African Parastatal (SAPTU), has sent a

letter of concern to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Minister Jeffrey Radebe. According to

SAPTU General Secretary, Ben van der Walt, the letter is the direct outcome of great concern and worry amongst

the trade union, which represents members at the Legal Aid Board (LAB) for a lack of adherence by Government to the

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its Leadership met with the Minister of National Planning,

Minister Trevor Manuel today, to discuss the Green Paper on National Planning. The Green Paper that was first introduced in

September this year is an important tool by which Government aims to extensively consults with Organised Labour and

Business to improve the performance of Government through enhancing coherence and co-ordination in government, managing the

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be meeting with the Minister of Public Enterprises,

Barbara Hogan on 2 October at the Department of Public Enterprises. The meeting was requested by the

Minister herself and will serve as a platform to enhance social dialogue between Organised Labour and the

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be commemorating the World

Day for Decent Work on 7 October 2009. FEDUSA’s main objective for this day is to

educate the South African media and all workers on the importance of Decent Work...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be meeting with the Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, on 30

September to promote the concept of Decent Work within the province. The FEDUSA National Executive Committee (NEC)

has decided to embark on a national campaign to meet with all 9 premiers of South Africa in a bid to strengthen dialogue on

the promotion of Decent Work. During the State of the Nation Address, President Zuma announced the importance of

Decent Work as the core of all economic and social policies and as such FEDUSA urges all provinces to make Decent Work

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) recently held a Management Committee (MANCOM) meeting where

decisions were made concerning the current financial year as well as to discuss FEDUSA’s way forward.

In line with the Global Pact on the current economic crisis the FEDUSA MANCOM deliberated on the federation’s budget to

include all alternative income streams as well as a policy on how to cut on administrative and operational costs. The FEDUSA

MANCOM also paid particular attention to key items that will affect all sectors of society...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is pleased to announce that the Federation has received the

new Public Service Co-Ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) document and would like to strongly recommend

to our unions to accept the proposal that has been offered. In light of the current economic crisis we facing the

proposal seem to be fair and acceptable to the immediate needs of our workers...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes the appointment of Jimmy Manyi as the

new Director General of the Department of Labour. The announcement that was made today to

welcome Manyi’s appointment has been regarded as a breath of fresh air amongst Organised Labour with

just one request from Manyi and that is to ensure effective and responsive dialogue with Organised Labour

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its Leadership will be meeting with members of

the Labour Portfolio Committee to extensively discuss the regulations of labour brokers in South Africa.

After much debate and extensive research into the role of labour brokers in South Africa and how they

add to the economy of the country, FEDUSA has recently come to an agreement with the Confederation

of Associations in the Private Employment Sector (CAPES) have signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU), to create a strategic partnership and a national social dialogue platform to

ensure fair conditions for the South African temporary employment industry and temporary employment

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is calling on the Metrorail workers to return to work on

Monday 24 August 2009. Commuters from Mitchells Plain, Langa, Guguletha and Khayalitsha are suffering

greatly as a result of the legal protected strike by the United Allied Transport Trade Union (UTATU)

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is calling on the Metrorail workers to return to work

on Monday 24 August 2009. Commuters from Mitchells Plain, Langa, Guguletha and Khayalitsha are

suffering greatly as a result of the legal protected strike by the United Allied Transport Trade Union (UTATU)

The Federation of Unions of South Africa’s (FEDUSA) affiliate the United Transport and Allied Trade Union

(UTATU) are gravely disappointed with the level of dictatorship in which Metrorail has used during the wage

negotiations with UTATU and its members. UTATU members are actively striking in a legal strike for the

third day after negotiations between the employers, Metrorail for a 9.5% wage increase failed on Saturday

and as a result a national strike amongst UTATU workers proceeded on Monday 17 August. On Sunday

FEDUSA met with the Minister of Transport after requesting his intervention in the matter pertaining to wage

increases; however the meeting was unsuccessful as the deadlock between the employer and workers could

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its affiliate the United Transport and Allied Trade

Union (UTATU) who has the largest representation in the Transnet Group, are concerned over the lack

of consultation between the office of the Minister of Public Enterprises, Barbara Hogan and Organised

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and the Confederation of Associations in the Private

Employment Sector (CAPES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to create a strategic

partnership and a national social dialogue platform to achieve fair conditions for the South African temporary

employment industry and temporary employment agency (TEA) workers. As social partners, both parties

support the establishment of a regulatory framework for the temporary employment industry to promote

decent work for the TEA workers as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to ensure that

the constitutional rights of workers employed in the temporary industry are respected, promoted and

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) fully supports and applauds the South African

Governments response to the current economic crisis through a R2.4 billion job fund roll out to assist in

the re-training of workers affected by the recession. President Jacob Zuma made this announcement was

at a meeting that was held with the leadership group of the Framework Response to the Economic Crisis

that consisted of representatives from Labour, Business and Government on Wednesday 5 August...

The South African Broadcasting Commission (SABC) announced on Tuesday that television licence fees

will increase by 11 %. The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is of the view that the TV

licence increase was done in ill faith by not consulting with labour organisations, since labour plays such

During this Woman’s Month the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) once again highlights

and celebrates the work done by women from all sectors of society, including Domestic Workers.

FEDUSA believes that the work of Domestic Workers is very important as it assists households to

function at their optimum level, but very often Domestic Work is undervalued and overlooked. Domestic

Workers remain overworked, underpaid and unprotected. The media has also highlighted more and more

accounts of maltreatment and abuse, especially of live-in and migrant workers. This state of affairs is due to

the fact that Domestic Work does not take place in a factory or an office, but in the home. They do not work

alongside other co-workers, but in isolation behind closed doors. Furthermore the employees of Domestic

Workers are not male breadwinners, but rather the woman of the household....read more

COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU would like to express with contempt the attitude displayed by the Director

General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pascal Lamy who has blatantly refused to meet Nedlac

Constituencies to give ear to labour’s concerns on the Doha (Development Agenda) round of WTO trade

negotiations. The Doha round has adverse implications for the workers and will result in massive job losses.

It is extremely unacceptable for Lamy to refuse to meet with the constituency that will be negatively

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is pleased that the four day municipal strike has reached

its end. The strike that revolved around wage negotiations involved FEDUSA affiliate the Independent Municipal

and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) , has been resolved last night with the agreement to be signed later today... read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) fully supports the strike action of our affiliates, the

Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), as they fight for better wages. And has applauded

the peaceful manner in which strikes and wages negations has been conducted thus far. IMATU members,

in their thousands took to the streets in South Africa yesterday and will continue to do so until a salary

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) fully supports the proposed strike action of our affiliate

United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UTATU) that has been scheduled for Monday 27 July, should

worker demands not be resolved prior to the proposed date. UTATU and The South African Transport and

Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) who represents over 10, 000 Metrorail workers, has already given

Metrorail the opportunity to settle wage demands of workers. If not done so, the unions have already served

Metrorail with a 48 hour notice of strike action as determined by the Labour Relations Act...read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) believes that woman should be treated with respect

and dignity and as such the federation strongly supports the investigation by the National Assembly

According to a recent report by The Star newspaper, Molefe has only been given a four years sentence for

the rape as opposed to the prescribed life sentence, because he, Molefe, is a “well-educated man” and the

victim was is a “grown woman”, as indicated by Magistrate JF Steyn....read more

The Competition Commission has initiated an investigation against major South African supermarket chains

stores such as Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite/Checkers, Woolworths and Spar, who may have contravened

sections of the Competition Act of 1998. The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) fully supports

the investigations and believes that the contravention of the Competition Act should be seen as criminal

The National Teacher Union (NATU) and the South African Teachers Union (SAOU), both affiliated to

the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), fears that teachers demands and concerns are not

seen as a priority, as the Department of Education as well as the Department of Public Service

and Administration fails to comply with the policies outlined in the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD)

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) strongly opposes and is concerned for the plight of the

poor South Africans who will now face a 31 percent electricity increase granted to Eskom by the National

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) strongly supports the ILO Global Jobs Pact that was

adopted by Heads of State and Government, including the Deputy President of South Africa Mr Kgalema

Motlanthe, as well as worker and employer leaders. FEDUSA was represented at the International Labour

Conference this year by the FEDUSA President Danie Carstens, General Secretary Dennis George, Vice

Presidents Lauretha Rudolph and Dana De Villiers, Chris De Vos and Leon Grobler...read more

FEDUSA SAYS YOUTH IS THE FUTURE

On the 16^th of June, South Africa will be celebrating Youth Day, marking the 33^rdyear since the 1976

Soweto uprising. This year the Federation of Unions of South Africa once again supports the very important

reasons that made this day special and memorable, by remembering the plight of the South African youth

during the Apartheid era...read more

FEDUSA Supports World Day against Child Labour

FEDUSA says no to child labour and believes that children deserve the right to enjoy their childhood for

as long as they can. Hundreds of millions of girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work

that deprives them of adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedom which violates their rights

as children. Of these children more than half half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as

work in hazardous environment, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug

trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is disappointed concerning recent reports that the

South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) members, who has chosen to vandalise two schools

during a so-called protest. As a federation FEDUSA and our education affiliate, Suid-Afrikaanse

Onderwysersunie (SAOU) believes that the behaviour of these SADTU members is unlawful and contrary to

the values and social dialogue that governs employee relations and the very principles we would like to see

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) strongly supports the petition of the Television

Industry Emergency Coalition for a transparent, fair, responsible and sustainable South African

The SABC as an employer has not honored its contractual obligations to its employers, owing millions

of rands to companies and individuals, which have resulted in hundreds of job losses, possible closing

Fedusa today welcomed, President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address at the opening of Parliament in

Cape Town, at which he highlighted his Plan of Action for the newly elected Government of South Africa and

outlined the main objectives for the country, which included the promotion of decent work, education and training,

health and related issues, crime and corruption and public service delivery, amongst others.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa, (FEDUSA) is due to meet with the Minister of Public Service,

Masenyani Richard Baloyi regarding the effective implementation of the Occupation Specific Dispensation

(OSD) in the public service. The meeting with be held at 3pm on Monday 8 June 2009 at the OR Tambo

The Federation of Trade of South Africa (Fedusa) strongly supports the march of doctors to the Health

Department’s offices in Pretoria and Bisho in the Eastern Cape and to the City Hall in Durban today.

The Competition Commission of South Africa has fined South African petrochemicals group Sasol with 188

million rand for fixing prices in the fertiliser and phosphoric acid sectors. The Federation of Union of South Africa

(Fedusa ) welcomes the fact that Sasol has been fine for price fixing but believes more needs to be done prevent

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) has highlighted its expectations of President

Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address, due to take place tomorrow 3 June. Amongst the

federation's concerns are the critical issue of job losses, the negative economic growth and

recession that South Africa is facing due to the global economic crisis, as well as the demand to

The largest economy on the Africa continent, South Africa, has officially fallen into recession, depictive

in a recent release by Statistics South Africa that showed a 6.4 per cent decline in our Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2008. This is the lowest our economy has fallen in 17 year and the

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) demand the decision where to place the SETAs be referred to NEDLAC,

in order to give the social partners (Organised Labour, Business and Government) an opportunity to decide under which National

Department it would deliver the best results in education, training and skills development for South Africans.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) would like to congratulate the Motor Transport Workers Union

(MTWU) an affiliate of Fedusa, on celebrating their 75^th National Congress anniversary.

MTWU represents more than 90% of the security officers in the cash-in-transit industry, who face many challenges

The Federation of Unions of South Africa, (Fedusa )supports the call of Cosatu for a meeting with the Ministers

of Health, Education, Justice, Police, Finance, Social Services and Correctional Services to resolve the failure of

government to implement the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for all public servants.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes President Zuma’s announcement of his new

Cabinet today and wishes each of the Ministers well in their appointment. We are particularly pleased with

the extensive focus given to the provision of quality service delivery and strategic planning that will guide the

The Competition Commission of South Africa has fined South African petrochemicals group Sasol with 188

million rand for fixing prices in the fertiliser and phosphoric acid sectors. The Federation of Union of South

Africa (Fedusa ) welcomes the fact that Sasol has been fine for price fixing but believes more needs to be

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) with its affiliate, The South African Typography

Union (SATU) are concerned about possible retrenchments of 400 workers at Paarl Print, after a fire

broke out killing nine workers and destroying the factory. The tragic event that took place on 17 April 2009

FEDUSA Meets with ANC President Jacob Zuma

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today

(18 April 2009), held a formal meeting with the President of the African National Congress, Mr Jacob Zuma,

at FEDUSA House in Johannesburg. The meeting focussed on the key priority areas such as decent

work, education, health, the fight against crime and corruption and rural development for the next five years.

The main purpose of the meeting was to find synergy and to co-operate in order to adequately address

the real challenges facing South Africans. “What was evident to see is that both the Polokwane

Conference of the ANC and the FEDUSA 4th National Congress of November 2008, identified “Decent

Work” as the cornerstone to create more and better quality jobs as the main route out of poverty and to

ensure that our macro-economic policies are aligned to support the afore-mentioned objectives,” said

Dennis George, General Secretary of FEDUSA.....read more

The graduation of almost 200 Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) artisans is the first batch from

a larger group of 600 to undergo training and certification through the Services SETA (SSETA) Section 28

artisan training programme. ‘The need to train and certify artisans has received the attention of the

Presidency and the call to rapidly up skill employed and unemployed workers in all sectors has gone out,’

says SSETA chief executive officer Ivor Blumenthal. ‘By partnering with the Public Service SETA we have

created the regulatory platform where we can do our part and assist with training and certification of

candidates in sectors not normally covered by us through the recognition of prior learning (RPL).’ read more

as opposed to their scheduled meeting of the middle of April this year...read more

In a bid to rescue this dire situation, the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) an Affiliate of the

Federation Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) in conjunction with Automechanika South Africa will jointly

host a four-day trade exhibition at NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg. South Africa will stage

the country’s first international trade fair for automotive parts, equipment and service providers. It is

expected that 8000 visitors will view the stands of at least 250 exhibitors over a four day period...read more

The South African motor industry has been devastated by the current global recession. According to a

report by the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), local new vehicle sales have declined by 30% in

February 2009 and thus far about 36500 jobs have already been lost in the motor industry between July

2008 and January 2009. The industry has already approached Government for a bail-out in order to assist

The Motor Transport Workers’ Union (MTWU), who is a member of the Road Freight Bargaining Council,

once again reached a deadlock in their negotiations with one of the two employer parties, namely Group 4

Securicor late last night, while Coin franchisers had agreed to the union’s demands, after having reached a

The Motor Transport Workers’ Union (MTWU), who is a member of the Road Freight Bargaining Council,
reached a deadlock in their negotiations with the employer party this week. The wage negotiations for

salaries and conditions of employment for drivers, crewman and vehicle guards started in August 2008.

MTWU’s reasonable demands for their cash-in-transit workers have fallen on deaf ears. MTWU demanded a

minimum basic salary of R6 100 per month which is very reasonable if we take into account the dangerous

INVESTEC, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and the South African Equity Workers

Association (SAEWA) announced today, that they have reached an, in principle, amicable agreement with

13 industrial pension and provident funds in respect of the Funds’ legal claims relating to issues that

occurred prior to Investec’s acquisition of FEDSURE in 2001. The negotiating teams have recommended that

the trustees of the 13 industrial pension and provident funds ratify the agreement....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today on behalf of its Affiliate, the South African
Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (SAPTU) condemned the unfair dismissal of SAPTU’s National
Chairperson, Advocate A. Paries who is a specialist legal practitioner employed by Legal Aid Board (LAB).
According to SAPTU, their Chairperson had been dismissed for participating in legitimate union activities
such as attending meetings to resolve grievances and other problems as requested by the union members
who had elected him into that position and also for attending CCMA – hearings on behalf of SAPTU
members relating to unfair labour practices. Advocate Paries therefore received unwarranted warnings
because of his activities on behalf of the trade union and for; according to the LAB, his unacceptable
conduct as a trade union representative in his dealings with his managers....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) condemned Transnet and Government for negotiating
in bad faith at their NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) meeting that was held
today. The main purpose of the Section 77 Notice meeting was to discuss proposals to deal with the
matter of unsafe railway level crossings which had led to the death of 13 people in 129 incidents at level
crossings in 2008 alone. Currently in 2009, we have already witnessed four major train accidents which
have also resulted in many fatalities....read more

Towards the end of 2008, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) came out in support of its
Affiliate, the South African Equity Workers Association’s (SAEWA’s) R4 billion ongoing legal battle against
Investec Employee Benefits (IEB), formerly known as Fedsure.
The FEDUSA National Executive Committee (NEC) then mandated its General Secretary, Mr Dennis
George to internationalise the federation’s campaign against Investec. Therefore FEDUSA is pleased to
announce that they have now just received confirmation of support for their campaign from the International
Trade Union Council (ITUC), who represents 169 546 509 members in 312 affiliated trade union federations in

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today thanked Minister Trevor Manual for his brave

attempts in his 2009 Budget Speech to bolster demand in our ailing economy, in an attempt to avoid a deep

recession or even a depression in the South African economy. Given the current downturn and uncertainty in

the economy, this year’s budget clearly outlined bold steps by the Minister. 2009 will certainly not be a

booming year. South Africa’s economic growth will fall to its lowest level since 1998. As Government’s

revenue in 2009 is considerably lower than that expected in the October 2008 MTBPS, Government’s

expenditure will be more or less the same as budgeted for in the multi-year expenditure framework...

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) congratulated President Kgalema Motlanthe on his
delivery of the State of the Nation Address today. FEDUSA hailed the President for highlighting the many
socio-economic issues that are close to the hearts of all South Africans. He succeeded in instilling a sense
of hope for the future amidst the global economic crisis, by focussing on improving the overall state of our
nation.
FEDUSA further welcomes government’s announcement to invest R690 billion in public sector investments.

This will give our economy a major cash injection that will help us through this very difficult economic period

in order to sustain jobs, grow the economy and prevent retrenchments. FEDUSA therefore supports the

President’s call to find alternative solutions to re-trenchments or lay-offs, by implementing alternatives such

as job-sharing and short-time. The aim to intensify public sector employment programmes as well....read

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today called on the South African Reserve Bank to cut
the interest rate at the meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this week, by two hundred basis
points. This comes in the wake of the anticipated and much talked about interest rate cuts. FEDUSA called

on the SARB to consider the socioeconomic realities currently facing South Africans and demanded a two

percent decrease in the interest rates. FEDUSA’s demands are aimed at saving decent jobs, halting the

present widespread retrenchments, to stimulate growth so as to create a stable economic environment and

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) once again raised its grave concern with yet another
train accident occurring in the south of Johannesburg today. It has been reported that two Metrorail trains
that were travelling in the same direction between Midway and Lenasia stations collided when one rearended
the other. This accident happened just before 7 am this morning and resulted in 17 commuters, including a

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today on behalf of its financially distraught members

lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission to investigate the current high cost of food, taxi and

bus fares. It requested a probe into the ever-increasing prices in spite of the recent fuel price cuts. In the

past six months, oil has fallen by more than $100 a barrel, which should naturally result in lower food prices.

It is expected that if the oil price affected food prices on the way up, it should have an equal but opposite

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is very concerned over the possible job losses and economic

hardship resulting from the global economic crisis and challenged growth trajectory in South Africa.

Late last year at FEDUSA’s fourth national congress, various speakers including President Kgalema Motlanthe

warned of the downstream effects of the current economic crisis faced by mainly developed countries of the north.

He alluded to the global economic crisis and the possible effects thereof on South Africa and workers....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today filed a section 77 protest notice with the National

Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) regarding the recent deaths due to unsafe railway crossings

in the country. This notice was filed in support of the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UTATU) which

organises most of the train drivers and train crews in the country and is the majority union at Transnet and Metrorail.
Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act gives workers the right to take part in protest action and nationwide strikes to

promote or defend their socio-economic interest. It gives NEDLAC, as a policy-making body made up of Government,

Business, Labour and the Community, the task of bringing the parties together to attempt to resolve the reasons for

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins the rest of the world today in congratulating Barack Obama

on his inauguration as President of the United States of America. South Africans will be viewing the inauguration

ceremony with great interest from 18h00 tonight together with all other nations. It is indeed a very significant day in

the history of America, to inaugurate their first Black and 44th president. It is evident that as a nation they have

moved past the issue of race and colour and have finally fulfilled the dream of Martin Luther King, when he uttered his

“On behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of FEDUSA, we wish to congratulate Barack Obama on his

inauguration today, as the first African-American President ever, of the United States of America. What an

achievement for one from our own continent, “said FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George, with great pride....

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today undertook to file a Section 77 Protest Notice with the

National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) regarding the unsafe rail crossings in the country.

This comes as another person died in Pietermaritzburg yesterday when a motor car was hit by an oncoming train.

Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act gives workers the right to take part in protest action to promote or defend

their socio-economic interest. It gives NEDLAC, as a policy-making body made up of Government, Business, Labour

and the Community, the task of bringing the parties together to attempt to resolve the reasons for the protest action.

This protest action can involve nationwide strikes and protest marches.....read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) condemns the unsafe rail crossings which led to the death of four

people in the Western Cape on Monday. The Federation is of the opinion that the Department of Transport and the

Department of Provincial and Local Government should do more to improve the infrastructure and popularise rail safety

One of FEDUSA’s 22 affiliated trade unions, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UTATU) – which is the most

representative union in both Transnet and Metrorail – has earlier this week also condemned the poor state of level

crossings. FEDUSA has resolved to support UTATU in their campaign to ensure level crossings in our country are

secured and in full working order. Both FEDUSA and UTATU also wishes to extend their condolences to the families

of those killed in the recent spate of level crossing accidents, and to the train crews involved......read more

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) today reflected on the freshly released matric results.

These results were eagerly anticipated by learners, parents and teachers alike, especially as it was the first

examination based on the new curriculum according to the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) model.

While FEDUSA supports the OBE methodology in principle, it has been outspoken on the lack of implementation

in the country’s schools. Another problem has been support, and specifically training provided to teachers on how

to implement and assess according to the OBE methodology. Many unions have called for a focus on teacher

development, but these calls have fallen on deaf ears and the results are evident...... read more