Western Transvaal

Iscor shop stewards have focused their recruitment drive on their own company – the largest company in the region. With five to six major units and many sub-sections that are run by contractors, it meant recruiting permanent Iscor employees and sub-contracted workers. Numsa writer, Moshe Manoto reports on how they went about this difficult task:

"Iscor shop stewards Sibusiso Namane and Mkhonazi, told me that they had invited Numsa's basic metals sector co-ordinator, Osborn Galeni, to join them on a section visit around the plant to "put their ears to the ground". They also distributed Numsa News, gave feedback to members on issues that affected them, held weekly general meetings with members and gave every shop steward five forms at the beginning of every week with instructions that they must be returned for processing every Friday. And their efforts paid off. They increased membership by 200 in the permanent staff. Some were ex-Numsa members that had resigned, others they attracted from rival unions in the plant. And a further dent was made amongst workers employed by contractors. About 200 were recruited from their ranks as well. Why can't other shop stewards do the same in their companies to win back ex-members and take on the skeleton of poor service to our members?
 

Source

Numsa News