Congress of South African Trade Unions
Encyclopedia
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is a trade union
federation in South Africa
. It was founded in 1985 and is the biggest of the country’s three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions, altogether organising 1.8 million workers.
and Cyril Ramaphosa
. COSATU played a leading role in the struggle against apartheid, organising a range of highly effective wage strikes and also general strikes and mobilising support in factories and towns across the country. The most authoritative account of its early years is a book called Striking Back, written by a former COSATU leader Jeremy Baskin
and covering the period from 1985 until the release of Nelson Mandela
in 1990.
and the South African Communist Party
, called the Tripartite Alliance. COSATU’s role in the alliance has been the subject of debate, since the organisation has been critical of some of the ANC government's policies. While some affiliates have argued for greater independence from the ruling political party, others have argued that the arrangement gives COSATU a political influence beneficial to its members. COSATU's secretary general, Zwelinzima Vavi
, has described Jacob Zuma
's government as a "predator society."
(TAC), a registered charity and political force working to educate and promote understanding about HIV/AIDS, and to prevent new infections, as well as push for greater access to antiretrovirals
. COSATU passed a resolution in 1998 to campaign for treatment. “It was clear to the labour movement at that time that its lowest paid members were dying because they couldn’t afford medicines,” says Theodora Steel, Campaigns Coordinator at COSATU. “We saw TAC as a natural ally
in a campaign for treatment. We passed a formal resolution at our congress to assist and build TAC.
Notwithstanding the formal alliance of COSATU with the ruling ANC party, it has been at odds with the government, calling for the roll-out of comprehensive public access to antiretroviral drugs.
Abahlali baseMjondolo
offered a strong statement of support to the 2010 Public Sector Worker's strike.
to judge conditions in that country before the 2005 Zimbabwe parliamentary elections
. They were expelled from the country on both occasions.
COSATU has arranged protests and border blockades against the regime in Harare
.
Regional secretaries:
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
federation in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was founded in 1985 and is the biggest of the country’s three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions, altogether organising 1.8 million workers.
Establishment
COSATU was established in 1985 following unity talks between competing unions and federations. At its launch it represented less than half a million workers organised in 33 unions, but saw rapid growth in its early years. Elijah Barayi was the organisation’s first president and served until 1991. Other key leaders included Jay NaidooJay Naidoo
Jay Naidoo is the co-founder of the J&J Group and founder of the J&J Development Projects Trust. He is the non-executive Chairperson of the premier development finance institution in Southern Africa, the Development Bank of Southern Africa...
and Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa
Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African lawyer, trade union leader, activist, politician and businessman. He was born in Soweto, Gauteng province...
. COSATU played a leading role in the struggle against apartheid, organising a range of highly effective wage strikes and also general strikes and mobilising support in factories and towns across the country. The most authoritative account of its early years is a book called Striking Back, written by a former COSATU leader Jeremy Baskin
Jeremy Baskin
Jeremy Baskin is a specialist in sustainable business practice. He is a Director of the University of Cambridge's Programme for Industry, running a global programme on Business & Poverty and a range of other programmes in Australia...
and covering the period from 1985 until the release of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
in 1990.
Affiliated Trade Unions
- Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' UnionChemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' UnionThe Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union is a trade union in South Africa.CEPPWAWU is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions ....
(CEPPWAWU) - South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers UnionSouth African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers UnionThe South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union is a trade union in South Africa.SACCAWU is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions ....
(SACCAWU) - Communication Workers UnionCommunication Workers Union (South Africa)The Communication Workers Union is a trade union in South Africa. It was formed in May, 1996by the merger of the Post Office Employees Association ,the Post and Telecommunication Workers Association and the South African Post Telecommunication Employees Association .CWU is an affiliate of the...
(CWU) - Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers UnionSouthern African Clothing and Textile Workers UnionThe Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union is the biggest union in the clothing, textile and leather industry, with more than 100 000 members...
(SACTWU) - Food and Allied Workers UnionFood and Allied Workers UnionThe Food and Allied Workers Union is a trade union in South Africa.FAWU is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions ....
(FAWU) - South African Democratic Nurses' UnionSouth African Democratic Nurses' UnionThe South African Democratic Nurses' Union is a trade union in South Africa.SADNU is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions ....
(SADNU) - Democratic Nursing Organisation of South AfricaDemocratic Nursing Organisation of South AfricaThe Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa is a trade union in South Africa.DENOSA is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and became a full member of the International Council of Nurses on 15 June 1997....
(DENOSA) - South African Democratic Teachers UnionSouth African Democratic Teachers UnionThe South African Democratic Teachers Union is a trade union in South Africa.SADTU is an affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions .-External links:*...
(SADTU) - Musicians Union of South AfricaMusicians Union of South AfricaThe Musicians Union of South Africa is a trade union in South Africa. It has a membership of 700 and is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions.-External links:* at the COSATU....
(MUSA) - South African Football Players UnionSouth African Football Players UnionThe South African Football Players Union is a trade union that represents football players in South Africa. It has a membership of approximately 200 and is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions, and FIFPro....
(SAFPU) - National Education, Health and Allied Workers' UnionNational Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union-External links:* official site....
(NEHAWU) - South African Medical AssociationSouth African Medical AssociationThe South African Medical Association is a trade union for doctors in South Africa. It is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions.-External links:* ....
(SAMA) - National Union of MineworkersNational Union of Mineworkers (South Africa)-External links:* official site....
(NUM) - South African Municipal Workers' UnionSouth African Municipal Workers' Union-External links:* official site....
(SAMWU) - National Union of Metalworkers of South AfricaNational Union of Metalworkers of South AfricaThe National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa is the biggest metalworkers trade union in South Africa with more than 216 000 members...
(NUMSA) - South African State and Allied Workers' Union (SASAWU)
- Performing Arts Workers' EquityPerforming Arts Workers' EquityThe Performing Arts Workers' Equity is a small trade union in South Africa. It has a membership of only 365, but is affiliated to the Congress of South African Trade Unions.-External links:* at the COSATU.* at UNESCO...
(PAWE) - SASBO - The Finance UnionSASBO - The Finance UnionSASBO – The Finance Union is a trade union in South Africa. It was founded in 1916 and has a membership of 59,000.SASBO is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions...
- Police and Prisons Civil Rights UnionPolice and Prisons Civil Rights UnionThe Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union is a trade union in South Africa representing police officers, trafiic officers and correctional officers, it has around 120,000 members. POPCRU was formed in 1989....
(POPCRU) - South African Transport and Allied Workers UnionSouth African Transport and Allied Workers UnionThe South African Transport and Allied Workers Union is a trade union in South Africa. It was founded in May, 2000 and has a membership of 82,000....
(SATAWU) - South African Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers UnionSouth African Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers UnionThe South African Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers Union is a trade union in South Africa. It is affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions.-External links:* at the COSATU....
(SAAPAWU)
Government
COSATU is part of an alliance with the ANCAfrican National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
and the South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party is a political party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa by the joining together of the International Socialist League and others under the leadership of Willam H...
, called the Tripartite Alliance. COSATU’s role in the alliance has been the subject of debate, since the organisation has been critical of some of the ANC government's policies. While some affiliates have argued for greater independence from the ruling political party, others have argued that the arrangement gives COSATU a political influence beneficial to its members. COSATU's secretary general, Zwelinzima Vavi
Zwelinzima Vavi
Zwelinzima Vavi is General Secretary of Congress of South African Trade Unions , and Vice-Chairperson of the Millennium Labour Council.-Early life:...
, has described Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
's government as a "predator society."
Labour and Social Movements
South Africa has one of the largest incidence of HIV/AIDS in the world, with a 2005 estimate of 5.5 million people living with HIV — 12.4% of the population. The trade union movement has taken a role in combating this pandemic. COSATU is a key partner in the Treatment Action CampaignTreatment Action Campaign
The Treatment Action Campaign is a South African AIDS activist organization which was founded by the HIV-positive activist Zackie Achmat in 1998. TAC is rooted in the experiences, direct action tactics and anti-apartheid background of its founder...
(TAC), a registered charity and political force working to educate and promote understanding about HIV/AIDS, and to prevent new infections, as well as push for greater access to antiretrovirals
Antiretroviral drug
Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. When several such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART...
. COSATU passed a resolution in 1998 to campaign for treatment. “It was clear to the labour movement at that time that its lowest paid members were dying because they couldn’t afford medicines,” says Theodora Steel, Campaigns Coordinator at COSATU. “We saw TAC as a natural ally
in a campaign for treatment. We passed a formal resolution at our congress to assist and build TAC.
Notwithstanding the formal alliance of COSATU with the ruling ANC party, it has been at odds with the government, calling for the roll-out of comprehensive public access to antiretroviral drugs.
Abahlali baseMjondolo
Abahlali baseMjondolo
Abahlali baseMjondolo , also known as AbM or the red shirts is a shack-dwellers' movement in South Africa which is well known for its campaigning for public housing. The movement grew out of a road blockade organized from the Kennedy Road shack settlement in the city of Durban in early 2005 and now...
offered a strong statement of support to the 2010 Public Sector Worker's strike.
Zimbabwe
In October 2004 and February 2005 COSATU sent delegations to ZimbabweZimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
to judge conditions in that country before the 2005 Zimbabwe parliamentary elections
Zimbabwe parliamentary elections, 2005
A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 31, 2005 to elect members to the Zimbabwe House of Assembly. All of the 120 elected seats in the 150-seat House of Assembly were up for election. A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 31, 2005 to elect members to the Zimbabwe...
. They were expelled from the country on both occasions.
COSATU has arranged protests and border blockades against the regime in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
.
Current officeholders
- Secretary General Zwelinzima VaviZwelinzima VaviZwelinzima Vavi is General Secretary of Congress of South African Trade Unions , and Vice-Chairperson of the Millennium Labour Council.-Early life:...
- President Sdumo Dlamini
Regional secretaries:
- Eastern Cape Xola Phakathi
- Free State and Northern Cape Sam Mashinini
- Gauteng Siphiwe Mgcina
- KwaZulu-Natal Sahlulele Luzipho
- Limpopo Jan Tsiane
- Mpumalanga Norman Mokoena
- North West Solly Phetoe
- Western Cape Tony EhrenreichTony EhrenreichTony Ehrenreich is a South African trade-unionist and regional secretary of the Western Cape region of COSATU. Ehrenreich joined COSATU in 1989, raising to become its National Deputy General-Secretary from 1999 to 2001...
See also
- Trade unions in South AfricaTrade unions in South AfricaTrade unions in South Africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions being predominantly for white workers...
- 2007 South African public servants' strike2007 South African public servants' strikeThe 2007 South African public servants' strike was a general strike of workers in the public sector of South Africa. It was led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions , which is currently in a labour/political alliance with the governing African National Congress party of Thabo Mbeki...