A total of 443 voting delegates took part in the elections at Numsa’s Ekurhuleni region at the Bakerton Centre in Paynville, Springs. The regional congress, on April 21 and 22, was a closing chapter to a very long first quarter of 2012 in Ekurhuleni.
The guest list
Numsa’s general secretary national treasurer and president; together with Cosatu’s provincial chairperson and secretary; ANC and SACP leaders; Ekurhuleni recruiters; Fernando Lopez of the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF) and his International project co-ordinator, both from Geneva; MP Eric Nyekemba; the leaders of JC Bez, Eastern Cape and Hlanganani regions; and representatives of the media.
The mood
The atmosphere was tense, and delegates became restless, even impatient, apparently because of the election.
A lot of time was consumed in discussing election-related matters, as opposed to focusing on the secretariat report, which accommodated the election agenda, and there were endless caucuses.
The song “Iyo Solomon”, whose rhythmic sounds detoxify the body, was helpful in reducing tension. The final results were bitter-sweet.
Voting controversy
Those in favour of a show of hands believed there would be mischief if there was a secret ballot, while those who favoured a secret ballot felt a show of hands was an outdated method that caused discomfort among comrades, who might end up voting for the wrong slate for fear of intimidation.
The latter also argued that it was inconsistent for congress to allow only a show of hands to determine voting.
The elections were ruled free and fair, though some felt the process leading to the election was not entirely free of controversy.
The national congress resolved that in future, regional elections for leadership positions will be by secret ballot and run by independent commissions.
Way forward
Delegates were impressed by the membership figures in the region, and called for continued growth so that membership will exceed 300 000 by the time of the National Congress in June 2012.
The 443 delegates, fewer than the 512 that were expected, represented the January membership of 51 197.
The national office-bearers acknowledged that the Ekurhuleni finance committee had done a good job.
The pointed out that Ekurhuleni leads the rest of the union in terms of compliance with the head office with regard to ACCPAC,a new accounting package.
The national structures asked the regional administrator to assist other regional administrators with ACCPAC.
We hope that the new Ekurhuleni finance committee will continue being productive.
The shopstewards and the organisers were urged to put lots of initiative and creativity into challenging the downsizing of the workforce using sections 189 and 189A of the Labour Relations Act.
Members were encouraged to fight capitalist exploitation at workplace. Said Irvin Jim, the general secretary: “Employers have brought in sophisticated terms like restructuring, re-engineering, labour broking, outsourcing, casualisation, world-class production processes, temporary work, contract work, getting rid of non-core production and focusing on reduction of costs.
For the union it is like chasing a gazelle, and is an endless process.”
Jim added that the notorious triple crisis of poverty, unemployment and inequality is the result of capitalism.
There was also praise for all those who participated in the strike against labour broking and e-tolling.
Conclusion
While we welcome our new office-bearers and ask them to provide outstanding service, we also bid farewell to our former office-bearers.
The good service they gave to members was acknowledged by the singing of the song Qabane Usebenzile Ekurhuleni.
“We call on everyone to rally behind the current leadership and give them a hundred percent support,” said George Choshane, former regional secretary.
Source
Numsa News