[DEBATE] : SAMWU claims leaders victimised

[Russell Grinker]

Rolling mass action against suspension of union leaders

29 June 2007
The Eastern Cape SAMWU Provincial Executive Committee concluded its meeting
this week with a decision to embark on rolling mass action across the
province.
 
This after the SAMWU Provincial Chairperson, Sticks Toyis, was suspended
recently, along with other union worker leaders in the municipalities of
Port St Johns, Nelson Mandela Metro, KSD, Ndlambe and Blue Crane.
 
SAMWU has noted with regret that municipalities are being used to purge our
leaders and members and to settle political scores. Municipal managers are
allegedly being forced by ANC leaders to endorse illegal suspensions of
union members.
 
It has become apparent to SAMWU that the ANC is bashing the union because
SAMWU is opposed to the unilateral restructuring and privatisation being
carried out by the ANC led municipalities. 
 
“Our leaders are being victimised because they are standing up and opposing
the greed and power mongering of ANC leaders in local government,” said
SAMWU Provincial Secretary Siphiwo Ndunyana.
 
SAMWU Provincial Chairperson Sticks Toyis, who works in the housing
department at the Nelson Mandela Metro municipality, has been victimised
because he is is seen by the ANC leadership as a stumbling block to the
business interests they have in the housing department. Toyis is also the
worker leader who represents all other union members in cases of unfair
labour practices and victimisation.
 
The SAMWU Provincial Executive Committee demands:
 
1. The immediate withdrawal of the suspension of Sticks Toyis, and the
withdrawal of his pending disciplinary enquiry 
2. The immediate withdrawal of the suspensions of all other shopstewards 
 
“We are going to engage the alliance partners through COSATU to urgently
intervene in this union bashing within local government,” said Ndunyana. “We
further regret that after thirteen years of democracy, the levels of
intolerance to different opinions are causing our leaders to be flushed out
of the system. This reminds us of the Sebe and Mantanzima regime where if
you differ with them, they will take you out of the system and your family”
said Ndunyana.