South African Transport and General Workers Union.

Head Office
PO Box 9451
Johannesburg 2000
Tel (o11) 331- 9321/8
Fax (011) 331-5418

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5 September 1997

Press Release

The National Executive Committee of Transport and General Workers Union which met from the 28-30 August 1997 ratified proposals from both the Road Transport and Maritime sections to support the International Day of Action on the 8 September expressing solidarity with the 500 dismissed Liverpool dockers who have been struggling against the casualisation of their port since 1995.

This action is also to supportive the Western Australian workers organised under the banner of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) who are currently engaged in the Third Wave Campaign against the promulgation of draconian labour legislation by the Conservative government, The Executive was of the view that should we fail to provide effective solidarity now, the national government in Australia may decide to introduce similar legislation across the country as they seek to strategically smash the strong trade union bases as part of their onslaught.

Our national day of action will take place on the 9 September in all the major port cities via Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London. Memoranda will be handed to the Departments of Labour and Transport respectively, Ship-Owners Association of South Africa and the National Stevedoring Employers' Association. This action will involve members from our Maritime and Freight sectors. This action, whilst supporting the above mentioned international campaigns is also intended to highlight demands around current negotiations and settling deadlines within which it should be finalised alongside a programme of Rolling Mass Action. The demands which have forced us to embark on this action are:

1) The negotiations for the implementation of the National Docks Labour Scheme (NDLS) to be concluded by the 31 October 1997. 2) That National Bargaining Council for the Maritime Industry (NBCMI) be established by 1 December 1997. 3) That the current wage and condition of employment negotiations at the National bargaining Council for the Road Freight Industry (NBCRFI) be finalised by 31 October 1997. 4) That the 500 dismissed Liverpool dockers be re-instated and casualisation stopped. 5) That the Western Australian government reverse the draconian labour legislation they have passed - as demanded by the ACTU. 6) That employers in both industries agree to the TGWU National Provident Fund intended for control by the union and its members.

It should be noted that our proposal; for the setting up of a National Docks Labour Scheme is an integral part of our strategy to counter casualisation of South African ports and create permanent jobs and prevent a Liverpool situation.

We warn that should the above deadlines not be met, Rolling mass Action will be pursued alongside negotiations until they are finalised. Any attempts to deny us the right to protest as in the case currently with the Pretoria City Council, intimidate our members with discipline or threats, will be met with further action.

In respect of the Liverpool dockers' and ACTU struggles, we will boycott the loading and unloading of any vessels directly or indirectly linked to both Liverpool and Western Australian ports.