Labour

Nationalising the mines is not socialism

Nationalise the mines. That is a demand taken up loudly in recent months by the Economic Freedom Fighters. It is a demand long made by many in the labour movement and it has been given added impetus with the Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) deision to dispose of, or close down, some of its older underground mines.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 1 August 2014

Parking marshals, unpaid for months, march on government

Around sixty of the CBD's parking marshals, who to have been "on strike" since October last year, marched on Western Cape Premier Helen Zille's offices at the provincial legislature yesterday.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 31 July 2014

Robertson Abattoir was “hell”

The case of 39 Robertson Abattoir workers who say they were dismissed for complaining about 18-hour days was back in court today after a 20 month delay.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 29 July 2014

Dismissed security guards strike over unpaid salaries

More than 60 former Iriss Security Solutions’ workers who say they haven’t been paid in full for the past two months protested outside the company’s offices in Mandalay yesterday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 25 July 2014

A suggestion for how unions can help alleviate household debt

Official statistics note that South African household borrowings have declined slightly. However, we remain a nation wallowing in debt. And this applies from the government down to the humblest of families.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 21 July 2014

Refugees lose security jobs

Over 100 refugees and asylum seekers have lost their jobs in Cape Town’s security industry, following enforcement of a 2002 regulation.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 July 2014

GroundUp team expands

New appointments have been made at GroundUp.

GroundUp

News | 17 July 2014

Do wage increases lead to greater inequality?

Recent articles in GroundUp by Gilad Isaacs on the conclusions to be drawn from the long platinum strike have prompted a vigorous debate about the nature of inequality in South Africa. Here economist Mike Schussler argues that demands for higher wages will lead to more inequality, not less.

Mike Schussler

Opinion | 15 July 2014

COSATU says Metrorail blocked their members from travelling to protest

On Saturday, 12 July, COSATU held a demonstration at Cape Town Station to demand improved train service and that Metrorail lower fares to the same as before the recent ticket price increase.

Joy Shan

News | 14 July 2014

Over-population is not the problem

“The misery of people here is very great, with beggars innumerable and increasing every day....pigs and calves live better than they.” That rhyming comment could apply to the legions of the poor in many parts of the world today. And South Africa is no exception.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 14 July 2014

“I love what I do, but there are many problems as well.” - a community health worker’s story

A Delft South community health worker (CHW) had no choice, but to take two weeks unpaid leave after sustaining a serious back injury while bathing a patient earlier this year.

Barbara Maregele

News | 9 July 2014

Rank and file make their voices heard

There seems to be renewed confidence and determination abroad among organised workers at rank and file level. Increasingly, there are fresh demands for a “living wage”, for the historic wage gap to be closed, and for the voices of the members to be heard.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 7 July 2014

I’m worth twice what I earn, says NUMSA member

Over 4,000 National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) workers stopped working and hit the streets of Cape Town city centre to demand a 12% wage increase effective from today.

Thembela Ntongana and Zintle Swana

Brief | 1 July 2014

Lessons from the platinum strike: the poison of inequality

The timing, duration and intensity of the long strike on the platinum belt were fuelled by a familiar South African problem: persistent and very high inequality.

Gilad Isaacs

Opinion | 1 July 2014

AMCU victory is more than just about the figures: A response to Gilad Isaacs

Gilad Isaacs underestimates the scale of AMCU's victory. His analysis offers an indicator of winner/loser based on contrasting the final settlement with the initial demand and initial offer. But this is arbitrary.

Peter Alexander

Opinion | 30 June 2014

Workers say Metrorail endangers their livelihoods and lives

Every morning at the TCI Apparel factory in Epping, shop steward Mymoena Williams writes down the names of the textile workers who arrive late. In this notebook are entire pages filled with employees being late for the same reason: the trains.

Joy Shan

News | 30 June 2014