Congress of South African Trade Unions
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| Congress of South African Trade Unions | |
| Founded | 1985 |
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| Members | 1.8 million |
| Country | South Africa |
| Affiliation | ITUC, ICFTU-AFRO |
| Key people | William Madisha, president Zwelinzima Vavi, secretary general |
| Office location | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Website | www.cosatu.org.za |
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.
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[edit] 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 Naidoo 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.
[edit] Affiliated Trade Unions
- Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU)
- South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)
- Communication Workers Union (CWU)
- Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU)
- Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU)
- South African Democratic Nurses' Union (SADNU)
- Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
- South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU)
- Musicians Union of South Africa (MUSA)
- South African Football Players Union (SAFPU)
- National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU)
- South African Medical Association (SAMA)
- National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
- South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU)
- National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)
- South African State and Allied Workers' Union (SASAWU)
- Performing Arts Workers' Equity (PAWE)
- SASBO - The Finance Union
- Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU)
- South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU)
- South African Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers Union (SAAPAWU)
[edit] Government
COSATU is part of an alliance with the ANC and the South African Communist Party, often 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.
[edit] Labour and HIV/AIDS
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.[1][2] The trade union movement has taken a role in combating this pandemic. COSATU is a key partner in the Treatment Action Campaign (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.[3]
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.[4]
[edit] Zimbabwe
In October 2004 and February 2005 COSATU sent delegations to Zimbabwe to judge conditions in that country before the 2005 Zimbabwe parliamentary elections. They were expelled from the country on both occasions.
Protests have been arranged at the Zimbabwe High Commission to take place on March 9 and March 16, with a mass march to the commission on March 23.
Border blockades with Zimbabwe would occur on March 11, and March 18, with another mass march and night vigil on March 30.
[edit] Current officeholders
- Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi
- President William Mothipa Madisha
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic. UNAIDS. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
- ^ Country profile - South Africa. ILOAIDS. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
- ^ Stepping back from the edge. UNAIDS. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
- ^ South African Union Boss Demands Government Supply Anti-AIDS Drugs. The Body.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-11.
[edit] External links
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