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Satawu is affiliated to

Union Network International (UNI)

      

and

International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)

           

The Satawu General Secretary, Randall Howard, was elected president of the ITF in 2006

 

PALESTINE - ZIMBABWE - SWAZILAND MUST BE FREE!!!

Our international work is generally informed by our international policy and Resolutions of National Congresses since the founding of the union. In pursuit of our broad international objectives emphasis will, of necessity, vary from time to time depending on the dictates of class struggle internationally and nationally. There is no doubt that Cuba, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Western Sahara, Burma-Myanmar, Congress of South African Trade Unions, International Transport Workers’ Federation and Union Network International work, Mining and Maritime Initiative campaigns, SATAWU-NATAU-STAWU Capacity-building Project and the campaign for workers’ rights in Iran, including fighting for the release of the leaders of a bus drivers union in that country, will preoccupy most of our efforts for the forseeable future.

However, against the backdrop of the recent assault on Gaza by Zionist Israel SATAWU is now prioritising solidarity work with the people of Palestine. This is actually a COSATU Campaign. To this extent, SATAWU will strive for maximum collaboration with COSATU-affiliates in waging this campaign. At the same time, the past few weeks have imposed a particular obligation on SATAWU, especially its maritime members in Durban, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. This seems set to continue for a couple of weeks if not months.

Presently, Israeli ships are constantly visiting our shores. A few weeks ago, SATAWU members refused to off-load an Israeli ship when it docked at the Port of Durban. This was a very brave and exemplary internationalist act in solidarity with the beleaguered masses of Palestine by our members. It was in the same vein as their conduct in relation to the Chinese ship carrying arms and ammunition destined to Zimbabwe last year. While embarking on these dramatic solidarity acts, SATAWU will not lose sight of the fact the current COSATU-led solidarity campaign on Palestine will really become effective when broadened beyond the SATAWU maritime shock-troops to encompass the broad sections of the working .class of our country. The immediate task is to develop and deepen working relations between COSATU-affiliates and the rest of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement (PSM). Indeed, a new, all-encompassing, PSM must be built out of various forms of collaboration among different formations carrying out practical work on the Palestinian solidarity front!

In this regard SATAWU will focus on Kwa-Zulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng for the mere fact that in these Provinces there are relatively active structures of the PSM side-by-side with various efforts seized with the same question. If our solidarity work on Swaziland, Cuba and Zimbabwe is anything to go by, at least, from a SATAWU point-of-view, no serious campaign, national or international, can be sustained without strong structures dedicated to its implementation, albeit within the general ambit of the union’ s day-to-day work. A certain amount of resources will have to be dedicated towards the success of this work.

Without in any way deviating from this total commitment, some systematic work on Zimbabwe and Swaziland will still be done. It is necessary to re-think the form of future solidarity work on Zimbabwe in the context of political changes currently underway in that country. Close engagement with our counterparts in Zimbabwe will assist us arrive at a correct appraisal of these developments on which to base our new efforts.  As far as Swaziland is concerned, a ‘business as usual’ approach will not be that dangerous. Only that our past shortcomings must be urgently corrected! Naturally, the dawn of democracy in Zimbabwe will definitely lead to a greater focus of our energies on Swaziland while continuing to assist our comrades in Zimbabwe to consolidate their position in the ‘new’ situation

WORKERS OF THE WORLD, AND OPPRESSESED PEOPLES OF THE COLONIES, UNITE! (V. I. LENIN)

 

 

 

ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL AND CAMPAIGNS DEPARTMENTS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS

 

Introduction:-

 

These are key developments around SATAWU’s international and campaigns work over the past few months.Zimbabwe andSwaziland remain the key area of focus on international work by both COSATU and SATAWU. Notwithstanding this, SATAWU’s international work is also expanding onto other interesting terrains. Last, principles and policies informing SATAWU’s international work are not included here as they are captured separately, but could be posted onto the website as a separate piece.  

  1. Zimbabwe andSwaziland

This year saw COSATU stepping up international working class solidarity work with the masses ofZimbabwe andSwaziland in three ways. First, COSATU held a quadrilateral meeting with the ZCTU, SFTU and SFL which took an unprecedented Resolution of calling workers’ sanctions against the regimes ofZimbabwe andSwaziland. The meeting further called for an International Solidarity Conference around the two countries with the aim of developing a comprehensive programme of action for thorough democratization, including free and fair. There was also a call for mass action to co-incide with the then impending Elections in the two countries. Elections.

In partnership with certain progressive formations COSATU convened a well attended and very successful International Solidarity Conference onZimbabwe andSwaziland as per the Resolution of the quadrilateral meeting referred to above. In addition to affirming the Zimbabwean Parliamentary Elections on the one hand, and condemning the Presidential ones on the other, it also denounced the Electoral machinations of theSwaziland regime. Above all, the conference adopted a militant programme of action for democracy, including free and fair Elections in the two countries.

The first test of the spirit of the quadrilateral and the Conference was the SADC Heads of States Summit held in Sandton very soon after the Conference. COSATU and South African civil society at large, the African diaspora, particularly Zimbabweans and Swazis, various political formations in the country, including the SACP, took to the streets and made their collective voice heard by the SADC Heads of States. This work was co-ordinated through the SADC Civil Society Summit. At the time of writing this Report, the week-long workers’ sanction was on. No reports had come in from our Provinces and Sectors yet. Certainly, much more political seriousness is required on the part of the leadership of the federation and its affiliates for this kid of bold and yet risky action to succeed! They should be part of the actual planning and implementation process instead of simply taking grand Resolutions at COSATU CEC meetings only to leave everything else to officials who lack the necessary authority to effect such decisions.

  1. Mining and Maritime Initiative

This international initiative of mining and maritime unions has now finally come of age on the African continent since the convening of its first African Regional meeting by SATAWU and the NUM inCape Town in September. There is an African Regional Committee spearheaded by the NUM and SATAWU.

Very soon a South African Sub-Committee, including other key unions in the relevant sectors of the economy covered by the Initiative, will be formed. The NUM and SATAWU are busy with that, and the Inaugural meeting is scheduled for November before SATAWU’ s CEC meeting.

Its expansion into the rest of SADC is not very far off, especially since both the NUM and SATAWU, together with their GUFS, have strong allies in the Region. On the side of SATAWU and the ITF, NATAU is an immediate candidate, with sister unions inMalawi andKenya being the point-of-call, thereafter.

Further expansion up north will probably depend mostly on our comrades inGhana andNigeria. In course, nurturing the difficult-to-build relations with our counter-parts in Egypt might also pay dividends and fast-track what might otherwise be a long-haul.

Without doubt, a lot depends on the All-South African meeting of November which will develop a programme of action for the Initiative going forward.

The next International Conference of the Initiative will be held inDurban in 20 11. Work in this regard has already started. Strengthening the African Regional Committee is, therefore, an immediate task! Consequently, all the steps outlined, and the tasks identified, above will have to be carried out with the necessary urgency and zeal.   

  1. SATAWU-NATAU-STAWU Project

This is a new Project focusing on Capacity-Building, especially Organising and Collective Bargaining, among the three unions. While the aim is to cover maritime unions in the SADC Region, the first phase, 2008 - 2 009, will focus only on SATAWU, NATAU and STAWU. At the time of writing a workshop was already on with NATAU inWindhoek.

This Project has a lot of potential in enhancing MMI and ITF work in the Region and the whole continent. It has also assisted us revive our old relations with NATAU and STAWU.Mozambique andTanzania might be next in line. A clear working relationship with the ITF and MMI needs to be worked out soon fruitful collaboration without blurring differences in primary roles.

NATAU has made a strong appeal to SATAWU for assistance on Collective Bargaining, Organising and Administration. It might be prudent on SATAWU’ s part to invite NATAU’ s NOBs as well as their Regional Co-ordinators to the CEC meeting so that such mutual work could be discussed, and concrete steps be taken.  

  1. Other major areas of work

            ITF

  • SATAWU’s participation in the ITF Days of Action has significantly declined over the years. Only the Rail and Road Days of Action were observed this as has been the case for several years now. The Rail Action Day was combined with the Free Osanloo Campaign. ITF Action Days could be utilised effectively in building SATAWU if they are given the necessary attention. The campaign around the Iranians comrades is also facing the same fate as the rest of other SATAWU campaigns.
  • The ITF held a very important workshop on campaigns inBotswana. This could enhance our campaigns work provided a correct approach is found. Each union is supposed to carry out at least one major campaign, organising its members and the workers at large in one its scopes of organising, as a way of implementing the outcomes of the workshop. The ITF Africa Regional Office and the Head Office are ready to assist should they be asked to.
  • Since most of ITF work is carried out through Sectors and Departments, a lot depends on them to ensure that the union as a whole is galvanised around it.

            Cuba

  • SATAWU did not do much this on the Free The Cuban Five and Break The Blockade Campaigns compared to the previous years.

            SSN and ZSF

  • Our work in these solidarity movements has also taken a nose dive due to their own methods of work that need serious overhauling on the one hand, and the absence of personnel from our side, on the other. The main challenge for us is obviously to address the latter!
  • At least, the union can be commended for its continued participation in border activities, and the role KZN and Mpumalanga, both SATAWU COSATU, are playing Swaziland solidarity work. The Gauteng Region and the Head Office should also be thanked for assisting with a bus for an SSN march in Tshwane this year.

            Palestine

  • This work has not taken off the ground despite the many Resolutions passed at our National Congresses and Collective Bargaining and Policy Conferences. Perhaps, the presence of delegates fromEgypt at the November CEC meeting could also be exploited for developing an approach to this work.
  • Another method is to link up with the PSM and other networks seized with Palestinian solidarity work. However, this would require the necessary personnel, as is the case with the rest of solidarity work referred to above.

4.3 The World Social Forum

  • As was the case in Nairobi, Kenya, a few years ago, SATAWU also sent a delegation to the Southern African Social Forum held in Mbabane, Swaziland, in September this year, having failed to do so regarding the Malawi one last year. Despite continued differences among civil society formations constituting the Forum, a lot of programmatic commonality is now quite evident among them.
  • Deliberations centered on building a strong, united mass movement rooted among the masses of the SADC Region for a better Region, Africa and the whole world. Various constituencies, e.g., trade unions, youth, informal traders, held separate forums every day. All of them reported back on their deliberations and Resolutions on the last day. A common perspective was adopted to intensify the struggle for participatory democracy and radical socio-economic transformations towards fulfilling the needs of the masses in the Region,Africa and worldwide.
  • Not surprisingly,Zimbabwe andSwaziland took centre-stage in discussions and Resolutions. Solidarity was pledged with the peoples of the two countries. Continuous, militant mass action to put pressure on the regimes of the two countries towards full democratization and progressive socio-economic transformation was identified as the most important and effective weapon to be utilised.
  • The next Southern African social Forum will be held inMaseru, Lesotho, next year.
  • January 2 009 will also see the return of the World Social Forum toBrazil, the founding country of this ever-growing progressive civil society movement.

 4.4 ILRIG Globalization School

  • SATAWU was represented by theWestern Cape Province and the International Department. The School has now weathered the storm since the boycott by COSATU-Affiliates when the School was still new. Some affiliates, particularly comrades from theWestern Cape, have drifting back. SATAWU needs to complement the efforts of theWestern Cape Province by sending representatives from all Provinces. This would more than compensate the lack of systematic and consistent political education and training within the union. There is now much in common between labour and social movements

   B. Campaigns

 

  1. Besides international campaigns, COSATU-Affiliates carried out various forms of mass action. The most important of these was the campaign against high energy and food. Summits held on these issues identified the key challenges that need to be addressed by both civil society and government. However, success will depend on constant mass mobilisation and action, building strong organisation on the ground and consistently pursuing a clear programme of action. One of the weaknesses in the campaign is the lack of a clear programme of action which could serve as the basis for ongoing mass mobilisation and action and building organisation.
  2. The Recruitment Campaign is being carried out through Sectors and Provinces.
  3. International campaigns have already been dealt with above.

 

Acronyms:-

 

SATAWU - South African Transport and Allied WorkersUnion

COSATU - Congress of South African Trade Unions

ZCTU -Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

ITF - International Transport Workers’ Federation

ANC - African National Congress

SACP - South African Communist Party

STAWU -Swaziland Transport and Allied WorkersUnion

NATAU - Namibian Transport and Allied WorkersUnion

SFL -Swaziland Federation of Labour

SFTU -Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions

PUDEMO - People’s United Democratic Movement (Swaziland)

SSN -Swaziland Solidarity Network

FOCUS - Friends ofCuba Society

ILRIG - International Labour and Research Group

PSM - Palestinian Solidarity Movement   

 

N. B. Osanloo - President of the Iranian Bus Drivers’Union

 

 

 

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