Thursday, 02 February, 2006
The SACP wishes to express its full support and solidarity with the Transnet workers in challenging the manner in which the restructuring of Transnet is being handled. We wish to point out that when the intention to restructure Transnet was announced during the first half of 2005, we warned at the time that such processes, including the definition of what are ?core? or ?non-core? assets, must be subjected to full, frank and open negotiations between management and workers. We said this from our experiences of the serious conflicts, including bitter intra-alliance differences that arose out of attempts at privatisation by government from the late 1990s. We should not go back there!
The SACP supports this action fully aware of the impact that workers? actions will have on major Transnet operations, which are vital to our economy. However, at the same time we have come through the bitter experience of a unilaterally-driven privatisation process of Telkom, resulting in a massive job-loss bloodbath. As if to rub salt onto the wound, a slimmer and more profitable Telkom entered into dubious empowerment deals enriching only a few black individuals. The result of all this is that a country with such huge telecommunication needs, especially for the workers and the poor, is now an ordinary capitalist, profit-maximising private company.
The time for unilateral management action and inadequate consultation with workers is over. Continuation with such practices must be met with the full might of the working class as a whole. Our country simply cannot afford any possibility of restructuring without meaningful consultation. This will derail the objectives we have set for ourselves to create work and fight poverty.
The SACP has also consistently pointed out before that there is no objective or scientific definition of what are ?core? and ?non-core? state assets. Decisions on this matter should be made on the basis of the overall strategic and developmental objectives we want to attain through state-owned entities. This requires maximum consultation and co-operation amongst all those involved, as these are public entities not owned by those who happen to run them. This is vital if we are to achieve the ?shared? growth that we are all committed to.
The SACP calls upon all its structures and members to join Transnet workers? actions throughout the country. We also call upon Transnet management to enter into meaningful negotiations with the workers in order to reach a speedy settlement acceptable to all.
Issued by: SACP
Contact:
Kaizer Mohau
Media Liaison Officer
South African Communist Party (SACP)
Tel: 011 339 3621/2*
Fax: 011 339 4244/6880
Fax2email: 086 613 5646
Mobile: 076 573 7764
Email: kaizer@sacp.org.za