NUPSAW and what it stands for:

Independence, non-aligned though not apolitical

We believe in the independence of our organization, it is through this independence that we continue to exist as an organisation, our members are free to partake in politics of this country and join political parties of their choice.

Nupsaw as an organisation will make its views heard when its existence is challenged and political decisions impact on its members as an organisation, and government decisions are contrary to our policies and beliefs.

We have since seen attempt to stifle silence those unions like ourselves who are politically non-aligned. The threats of increasing threshold in every Bargaining Council, where Cosatu unions enjoy a majority, the latest being an increase in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) with no justification from twenty thousand to fifty thousand. This increase is not only absurd but is self defeating for all the parties in the ELRC who do not have the fifty thousand membership on their own. This increase is an attempt to exclude PEU and Nupsaw from acting together. This move can only play into the hands of SADTU who already have has more than sixty percent in the ELRC.

Sadtu by virtue of this majority is free to decide on all educators bearing in mind that it openly supports the present regime through its affiliation to Cosatu alliance to the ANC.

It is an open secret that may decisions are made outside the Bargaining Councils, the latest wage negotiations being a point in case.

Nupsaw representation in the Bargaining Councils

Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC)

The threshold in the PSCBC is fifty thousand, Nupsaw is currently acting together with Hospersa and Natu and jointly represent in excess of hundred thousand (100 000) members. There has been attempts from both the employer and the Cosatu unions to force us to use one name as to Hospersa/Nupsaw/Natu. This attempt is to confuse those members whose union name does not appear as people who are going to be affected by agency fee. Presently and unfortunately the Cosatu unions form the majority and this does not augur well for workers as at times the alliance views prevail over workers wellbeing. The challenge is for the non-aligned organisation including ourselves to grow.

There is scope for growth in the Public Service especially with over hundred and twenty thousand members not (120 000) unionized. The challenge is for Nupsaw to devise a recruitment strategy to reach these members.

Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bragaining Council

We are currently a party to this council albeit attempts by the employer and Nehawu to have us excluded, and you ask to whose benefit this would be except to a self centered union and employer, worker representation is not a numbers game but having a voice for the workers of this country with no fear or favour. The membership in this Council is ten thousand, Nehawu and the employer are bent on having this number increased to fifty thousand. The challenge for Nupsaw is grow membership in Health and Social Development.

General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council

The threshold in this Bargaining Council is thirty thousands (30 000). Parties in this Council are Popcru, Nehawu and PSA. Workers not falling under the PHWSBC, ELRC and Safety and Security Sector Bargaining Council (SSSBC) are represented in this Council. We as Nupsaw have approached the PSA for an acting together in the GPSSBC. This approach has been well considered and in the event of PSA accepting our acting together membership will be duly informed.

Confederation of South African Workers (Consawu)

We as Nupsaw are affiliates of Consawu and we are committed affiliates. There are ongoing talks between Consawu, Nactu and Fedusa to form a new Federation, this is an attempt to bring together those affiliates which are non aligned but are committed to serve the workers of this with no fear or favour. There are committees formed to take this formation forward. Comrade Funani our former Deputy President is representing us in this forum.

Growth

Nupsaw as an organisation has grown since its inception (1998). The challenge is for us to reach the fifty thousand mark. The organisation is investing in growth of this organisation by employing free-lancers, offering memorabilias to new members.

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