Union outlines industrial action plan

ALAN PEAT THE INDUSTRIAL action on June 27 was not designed to “sabotage the economy”, according to Ronnie Mamba, national media officer for (Satawu). “The purpose,” he said, “was not to flex our muscle, as it appears some sections of society are assuming. It was rather to bring publicity to an endemic problem in our society, the problem of loss of jobs.” According to Mamba’s figures, there have been over 130 000 job losses in the country in the first three months of this year. “These,” he added, “were lost in the formal sector – and unemployment remains in the 40% region.” Mamba also pointed to “a systematic casualisation” of the work place - where workers who previously held jobs with fixed salaries are suddenly losing their jobs and given short contracts without benefits. “This, we say, weakens our position as workers and adds to the impoverishment of society.” He insists that poverty is a problem that leads to all sorts of social evil. “As labour, we are therefore saying that it is unfair to sweep these realities under the carpet. “We are marching in favour of jobs.” As part of its tactics, the union has a programme of action (POA) that lasts till February next year. Singling out July, Mamba listed the POA plans for industrial action. On July 4 a half-day stay away (from 12:00) is due to take place in the Western Cape; July 11 – a half-day stay away in the Eastern Cape; July 18 - a half-day stay away in the Free State; and on July 25, a half-day stay away in the North West. “In mid-August,” Mamba told FTW, “we will then review the POA and make recommendations.”