The Cosatu federation of trade unions led a march attended by over 200 members from affiliated unions to protest planned layoffs at the GrandWest casino. The protest took place yesterday outside the GrandWest casino.
Representatives from affiliated organizations joined the action, including the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu), as well as members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
The demonstration was timed to coincide with World Day for Decent Work and was part of a series of nationwide protests aimed at highlighting workers' issues. Speaking to workers near the GrandWest casino, Cosatu's national treasurer, Fred Osthuizen, stated that GrandWest is expanding its buildings using the labor of the working class.
She emphasized the need for a serious approach to work and building a strong, united chain of workers. Osthuizen noted that garages have recently been overcrowded, fuel prices have risen, and wages remain low. She also mentioned the importance of October 7th and the overburdening of police officers, teachers, and civil servants, as well as electricity problems in some communities.
Mike Sikani, the national education coordinator for Saccawu, reported that the march came amid growing worker discontent as GrandWest casino proceeds with Section 189 procedures with the unions. Sikani stated that the company plans to dismiss workers if they do not agree to lower standards of work and wages.
He warned that if employers in South Africa continue to threaten dismissals, it will exacerbate the growing army of unemployed and rising food prices, and Saccawu will fight. Sikani added that they held this march to confront the 'enemy face to face' and are preparing for larger actions where Saccawu members will daily demonstrate their support for jobs and decent employment in all sectors.
In its memorandum, the unions put forward a number of demands: the creation of a national pact on jobs and industrialization, an end to precarious employment, ensuring decent wages and collective bargaining. They also demanded urgent intervention to address the rising costs of food, transport, electricity tariffs, housing, and healthcare.
Furthermore, the unions insist on creating jobs for youth and skills development, protecting public services, state investment in infrastructure, food security, and fair markets. Benson Ngkentsu, provincial secretary of the SACP, noted that decent work means people can afford food and transport. He criticized the government, stating that those entrusted with running the country have 'sold out the workers' agenda'. Ngkentsu stressed that the SACP in the Western Cape will always stand with the workers, and they oppose the use of EPWP as cheap labor. He also appealed to the transport sector not to raise bus and taxi fares, as workers can no longer afford the cost of living.
Ngkentsu reminded that workers only have the November election to determine the country's development trajectory. The unions have given GrandWest casino management 14 days to respond to their demands.
