Congress of South African Trade Unions
Establishment
COSATU was established in December 1985 after unity talks between different trade unions who were against the apartheid system and were committed to making a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
Objectives
*To improve working conditions of the members.
*To organise people who are in need.
*To ensure worker participation in the struggle for peace and
democracy principles.
*Relieve workers from racial problems.
*Remove economic inequalities and poverty in society and in
the workplace.
*Increase work pay if necessary.
Composition and Membership
At COSATU’s launch they represented less than half a million workers organised in 33 unions. They currently have more than two million workers, of whom at least 1.8 million are paid up. Even by international standards they have been among the fastest growing trade union’s movements in the world. Today when most trade unions are facing a decline in membership, they have continued to grow.
Management
Key People: * William Madisha, president
* Zwelinzima Vavi, secretary general
Successes Achieved
COSATU played a leading role in the struggle against apartheid, which was a huge success, organising a range of highly effective wage strikes and also general strikes and mobilising support in factories and towns across the country, which mostly were successful because of COSATU’s undoubtful experience and huge memberships. A book about COSATU had also been written by one of it’s members, Jeremy Baskin, covering the period from 1985 until the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990.
Conclusion
The Apartheid system led to the birth of a very successful trade union, COSATU. From start it set out to combat problems of South Africa and it did so ambitiously by attracting more members than any other trade union and successfully achieving most of its goals. It seems that COSATU is a force to be reconed with, because of it huge successes it will try and crush everything in its way. Judging by its membership and successes, COSATU is the best trade union in South Africa…
Written and Edited by Khaider6
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