All about worker control

In 2008 Numsa's constitutional structures set up a commission of enquiry to investigate tensions and divisions in the Union's Northern Cape region. One of the commission's recommendations was that workshops must be run to educate local and regional office bearers on their role in the Union as well as on the policies of the Union. The first workshop took place in March 2009. Veronica Mofokeng was there.

Numsa's deputy general secretary, Karl Cloete, addressed the workshop stressing that “Numsa wants to see improvement in this region. The National Office Bearers (NOBs) are implementing the Central Committee decision by laying the foundation. The training of local and regional office bearers and staff is very important.”

The Human Resources head, Sakumzi Booi, Judy Madumo from the National Education department and Motebang Relake were the facilitators to ensure that the training met all the requirements of the organization and was conducted in the proper way.

The workshop covered the role and powers of the worker leaders as set out in the Numsa constitution, starting from the factories and all levels of the organization. We looked at the Numsa constitution, the preamble, the aims and objectives of the organization.

All chapters were dealt with thoroughly. We learned that workers must never lose their powers/responsibilities to the officials by allowing to be controlled. They must take control as the owners of this organization.

They are the mouths of the workers who elect them to lead the organization.“I learnt more in that workshop, more especially about workers' control and the policies of the organisation,” says DP Lemoen from Welkom local. “

We were having a lot of problems in our local because we did not have such a workshop.”Sakumzi Booi dealt with the Numsa policies on discipline and grievance procedures for Numsa staff. Worker office bearers are the bosses of Numsa staff – they must know what policies and procedures cover their employment.

For the region to function efficiently, there must be proper planning. There must be monitoring and evaluation and reviewing for reporting. Delegates agreed that the workshop achieved its purpose. Participants learned more than they expected and the facilitation was excellent.

Booi reminded the participants to follow the preamble of the constitution where it says: “Metalworkers must set aside any prejudices and strive for unity and be guided by the slogan of the international working class that says, “ FROM EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY TO EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS.”

Case handling courses almost completeIn March it was time for regional educators to descend on the Eastern Cape to deliver the Numsa case handling course.

Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth were the targeted locals with three workshops running simultaneously in the Port Elizabeth local – Numsa's biggest local!A final blitz is still to take place in the rest of the locals of the Eastern Cape.

Once all regions have delivered the case handling course to their shop stewards, then the courses on the Main Agreement courses will roll out to shop stewards.Make sure your shop steward is attending!

Source

Numsa News