The dock casual workers in Durban are facing a most difficult struggle:
The employers are wanting to break up the labour pool we have fought for for more than 10 years. If they cannot break the pool they are wanting to split the existing pool into 2 or 3 pools. The port authority, Portnet, is refusing to employ our drivers and tally clerks. Our wages are just $1 an hour and the employers are refusing to negotiate with us. Our members have been robbed by about R1m in tax deductions and we are struggling to make progress in getting this money back as the state is refusing any assistance. We have been ordered to pay costs in a recent strike in Richards Bay which means our subscriptions are being taken to feed rich lawyers. The Minister of Transport is refusing to answer our demand for a national conference to end cheap labour in South Africa’s docks.
Our union SEIU has emerged as the most militant union on the waterfront and the employers are wanting to break us. We are planning a NATIONAL action to bring Durban, Richards Bay, and Cape Town together in demands for:
The employers, including the port authority, Portnet, are completely opposed to these demands. The government is standing on the side of the employers. We have evidence that the NIA (National Intelligence Agency) is intercepting our emails. Our President, David Hemson, has been threatened with disciplinary action by the University authorities for his union involvement. We hear the employers are making advanced plans to bring scabs into the harbour to break a strike and they are refusing to negotiate. They are determined to crush our union and we need your help.
We urgently need your solidarity NOW! Please send messages of support to our Executive at:
(27) 31 205 0913
fax number (27) 31 206 2618
email jjguy@wn.apc.org
Service Employees Industrial Union
P. O. Box 181131
DALBRIDGE 4014
Suite 3
496 Sydney Road
Congella 4013
DURBAN
