Looking at VWSA internally

We as shopstewards in VWSA are facing a problem from management and from workers. The manner in which we run the organisation, does create problems for us as shopstewards and the union.

Let's look at our relations with VWSA management. Though management is painting a rosy picture to the outside world as if all is well in the plant, there are problems. To be specific:

day to day dismissal of workers for minor offences (20 dismissed workers for overtime), the manner in which the company wants the union to run.

R. Kasika (I.R. specialist) is spearheading management's agenda. There is also the co-determination agenda. Unfortunately this is done with the blessing of our sister union in Germany – IG Metall. They forget that we come from a different school of thought.

Also problematic is the victimisation of shopstewards, such that two shopstewards were dismissed and the other two are facing an inquiry. There has been resignation of shopstewards due to pressure from management and workers. The pressure on shopstewards is also caused by other shopstewards.

Our task as worker leaders in the plant is to make sure we have a vibrant trade union. lt's impossible for us to be players and referees at the same time. Therefore the organisation must do something i.e. come up with training for shopstewards and an official be part of our council meetings.

Coming to the workers – we have differences. When we stood as shopstewards the organisation was dead in the plant and currently we can proudly say Numsa is alive and kicking at VWSA. OCGAWU has died a silent death. Our job is to intensify organisation building and educate workers.

After the 2000 mass dismissal the company employed youngsters that were fresh from school and because of their education and lack of understanding when it comes to labour politics, management is using that to its advantage. Some will question what is coming from the union in comparison to what the company is saying.

The director last year applauded workers for their participation in the Numsa wage strike – more than 40% of workers went to work during the strike. The director was saying the workforce in VWSA doesn't really mind about the organisation and its politics. They only care about training and leasing cars at the end of the day.

Illustrating the type of workers that we have, one shopsteward told a story about how workers in his department only come to him for training issues or leave. Our task therefore is to educate those workers for the benefit of the union and themselves. We as shopstewards need to be educated and trained about labour politics and the manner in which we run the organization.

I'm not saying we don't have our own problems as shopstewards because we are sometimes failing our members, for instance, not having regular general meetings, not reporting back on time, not properly servicing workers. These are some of the problems that create a barrier between the workers and us.

In conclusion I would say because we are young in our council, we need suggestions to better the situation. The organisation needs to stick to its resolution of taking VWSA as a special project. We are facing re-election of shopstewards early next year.

This will mean we need to reduce the problems now and make life easy for the shopstewards that will be elected. A worker educator is also important for the kind of workers we have.

As this is the year of the member, it's therefore important that we deliver quality service to our members. If we can't we must just pack our bags and leave the union.

Xola Blouw Shopsteward VWSA

A4 Body Manufacturing

Elderly man, the child and donkey

An old man (SACP) geared up the donkey (ANC) to prepare the way. Then the young child (Cosatu) sat on the donkey's back with the elderly man at the front pulling the donkey. People commented – "What a lack of consideration that young child has for the old man. A young child is capable of walking instead of being on the donkey's back."

Immediately they changed positions. The young boy opened the gate for the elderly man on the donkey. Then people commented – "What a bad lazy man that he has made a slave of the child forcing him to open the gate and pull the donkey for him."

Then the old man let the child join him on the donkey's back to the same destination. The people said: "Two people on top of the animal is cruelty – they will kill the donkey."

Both climbed off the donkey and carried on their journey pulling the donkey along.

The moral of the story: Criticism is unavoidable and confuses the facts.

M.N. Motswene Secunda Local Organisre

Source

Numsa Press Releases