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SAMWU progresses leaps and bounds and eagerly awaits 2010. |
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 SAMWU progresses leaps and bounds and eagerly awaits 2010. SAMWU PRESS STATEMENT.
17th December 2009.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) the biggest trade union in the local government sector has had a fruitful 2009 and eagerly awaits 2010.
The Union Successfully held its congress on the 3-6 November 2009, has successfully emerged from a national strike this year that has translated into a win for not only local government employees but for the entire working class in general, has drastically increased its membership despite a global capitalist crisis and has emerged politically stronger in all operating spheres. These are just a few of the successes the Union has experienced during 2009, however looking forward to 2010 there still are challenges we are faced with.
SAMWU’s struggle for decent working standards and decent living conditions will undoubtedly continue in 2010 and beyond, under the newly elected national office bearers.
The newly elected President of SAMWU Comrade Sam Molope had the following to say; “As SAMWU we are committed to continue to make advances towards the achievement of a better life for all in South Africa. Looking forward to 2010 we should not forget that there are challenges that we are faced with such as casualisation and poverty; our members and communities still live in shacks and hostels with no proper basic services in place. These and other challenges will undoubtedly be dealt with in 2010. We would also continue to protect the principle of worker control in the organization (decisions taken within the Union should be based on the views of ordinary members).”
SAMWU’s membership has increased drastically despite the capitalist economic crisis we currently find ourselves in. SAMWU would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate its staff in the provinces, head offices and branches for working tirelessly to ensure the organization is at the fore front of worker related issues. SAMWU would also like to applaud the exemplary courage shown by our heroic comrades in fighting vice and ridding municipalities of corruption. We will not tolerate our members being victimized for whistle blowing by Municipalities, we will vigorously continue to campaign against corrupt individuals, regardless of their status.
A total of thirty five SAMWU Branches exist throughout the country. Together these branches represent a total number of over 136 000 SAMWU members, therefore placing huge responsibility on the Branch leadership in general and shopstewards to maintain a vibrant organization from the bottom up. SAMWU also has 9 provincial offices and two head offices.
SAMWU continues to play an active role in the affairs of individual municipalities and plays a vital role in policy making. Forming an imperative part of our policy agenda is the restructuring of local government, which will see us campaigning for the removal of provincial government as a sphere of government to allow for a two-sphere state with local government playing a significant role in service delivery; many municipalities are plagued with corruption and are not financially viable.
Equally important to us is the fight against temporary employment in municipalities and the eradication of labour brokers. We commit ourselves to fight for those who have been employed on temporary contracts as opposed to permanent contracts.
SAMWU both politically and from an organizational point of view has progressed leaps and bounds. We will continue to confront organizational and workplace challenges with the utmost vigour in 2010, critical in the strengthening of the organization and the emancipation of our members.
ALUTA CONTINUA! (The struggle continues!)
For further comment contact Walter Theledi SAMWU Deputy General Secretary on 011-331 0333/ 0825586580 or Sam Molope SAMWU President on 011-331 0333/ 0766371486
Tahir Sema.
South African Municipal Workers' Union of COSATU.
National Media and Publicity officer.
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Office: 011-331 0333.
Cell: 0829403403.
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Worker's News April 2008 PART 1 (514)
