The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Gauteng convened its Provincial Executive Committee meeting on 11 March 2021 to discuss amongst others the political, socio-economic situation and organisational work in the province. Chief among the decision of the PEC was to support the decision of the CEC to discuss the electoral support of the ANC, campaign against the user payer system (e-toll), mass action in defence of collective bargaining and free higher education.

 Political

The PEC has noted the current political situation characterised by divisions in the ANC which affects the work of government.

Provincial Alliance Summit- The PEC concluded that the leadership of COSATU in Gauteng should engage with alliance partners to convene the alliance summit as a matter of urgency.

On the electoral support to the ANC, the PEC supported the decision of the February CEC to convene a Special CEC to discuss this thorny issue and concluded to convene a political commission to analyse the state of the national democratic revolution in totality.

Whilst the discussion on the electoral support to the ANC have started, it was concluded that the unity and renewal project of the ANC will be a pipe dream while the ANC is in power because the source of its divisions is its proximity to state resources.

On the SACP, the PEC concluded that the SACP as the vanguard of the working class should be at the forefront of the struggles of the working class. We are perturbed that the senior leaders of the SACP in government are implementing austerity measures attacking the working class. The SACP needs to take a class position.

Socio-Economic

Higher education protests- The PEC has noted an attack on workers and the working class through austerity measure implemented by government. These austerity measures are affecting the working class directly as reflected in the current stalemate in the higher education sector. The meeting condemned police brutality but the blame should be directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of Higher Education and Training and the Minister of Finance. COSATU supports the struggle for free higher education and will be on the picket line with students.

E-toll- The PEC noted the threats by SANRAL on motorists who heeded the call of COSATU to boycott the payments of e-toll and concluded that the federation will lead weekly pickets outside the Ministry of Transport in Pretoria in preparation of a provincial mass action.

Defending Collective Bargaining-On undermining of collective bargaining by the ANC led government and, in its defence, the PEC concluded that it will picket outside the Ministry of Finance in Pretoria as well as the Provincial Treasury every Friday. This campaign will serve as a precursor of a mass action.

Organisational

In line with the priorities of the CEC, the province guided by COVID-19 regulations will lead a massive program on building of COSATU locals and clusters. We also plan to consolidate our ongoing recruitment campaign and will also be prioritising educating our shop-stewards. We also plan to actively engage and participate in our international solidarity work, starting with the Israeli Apartheid Week.

Provincial Secretary: Louisa Modikwe – 066 182 2402

Provincial Chairperson: Amos Monyela – 079 493 5002