20, Metal Workers' Union, Transvaal,

After the Conference, additional greetings were received from:

21, Sheet Metal Workers’ Union, Sydney, Australia;

22, Building Workers' Union, Sydney, Australia;

23 , Blacksmiths' Society of Australia, Sydney;

24-. Boilermakers' Union of Australia, Sydney;

25, Miners' Federation of Australia, Sydney;

26, Painters' & Dockers' Union, Sydney;

27 , Seamen's Union, Sydney, Australia;

28 , Ghana Trade Union Congress,

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES

(a) Credentials Committee:

One representative - Food & Canning Workers' Union, Port Elizabeth. One representative S .A ,R . & H. Workers' Union, Natal.

One representative - Furniture, Mattress & Bedding Workers1 Union,Transvaal - Convenor ’ V

(b) Resolutions nomn-nttee;

One representative - General Workers' Union, Port Elizabeth -Convenor,

One representative - Shop & Office Workers' Union, Transvaal.

One representative - Textile Workers' Union, Port Elizabeth.One representative — Textile Workers' Union, Transvaal,

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF SIXTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

These Minutes, having been previously circulated, were taken as read and on a motion of a member of the Textile Workers' Union, seconded

by the National Union of African Laundering, Cleaning & Dyeing Workers were taken as correct and were UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.

Metal Workers' Delegate, Transvaal: This member stated that it was 11

months since the last Conference and he regretted that the minutes had not again been circulated immediately prior to the Conference so that the delegates could refresh their membries.

Chairman: He stated that a copy of the Minutes were tabled and delegates could read them.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

The following address was then read on behalf of the National Presi­dent of SACTU, Comrade Leon Levy:

ON THESE PAGES WE WOULD HAVE QUOTED THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,

BUT IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL LAW AMENDMENT ACT WE ARE PROHIBITED

FROM DOING SO.

COI'CLUSIOI; OF PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

On a motion of a delegate from the Shop & Office Workers' Union, seconded by a delegate from the Food & Canning Workers' Union, the Presidential Address was UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.

TRIBUTE TO COMRADE LAWRENCE NKOSI.

All the delegates stood in silence to pay tribute to Comrade Lawrence Nkosi, a former member of the National Sxecutive Committee of SACTU, ex-

Treasurer of the National Union of Laundering, Cleaning & Dyeing Workers and a former Executive Committee member of the Furniture, Mattress Sc

Bedding Workers' Union, who had died of tuberculosis on 13th January, 1962.

Comrade Lawrence was one of the 156 who had been arrested in December 1956

on the charge of High Treason, although^ at that stage he was already suffer­

ing from tuberculosis. He was on trial for a year before being discharged

on account of ill-health.and the rigours of that year had contributed to his early death.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY.

The Report of the General Secretary to the Conference was read and discussed in sections.

1 . INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT SITUATION IN SOUTHAFRICA. ■

This was read and approved.

2 . AMgi'iDMEfrT TO TH.S CONSTITUTION OF TH5 TRADE UNION COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA TO ADMIT TRAPS UNIONS OF AFRICAN MEMBERS TO

FULL MEMBERSHIP.

Comrade D. Mateman, in leading the disoussion on this subject,

stated that in 1954- when the trade union movement was threatened by

the ’amendments to the Industrial Conciliation Act, the obvious answer was to unite and bring all the workers together. The then South

African Trades & Labour Council, however, did not do this. It dis­solved itself and formed a new trade union co-ordinating body which admitted only registered unions to membership, thus betraying the

African workers by excluding them.

At that time, thirteen Unions, based on true trade union princi­

ples, had refused to join the newly formed discriminatory TUC and

these thirteen had come together to form SACTU. Eleven of those thirteen Unions were still foundation members of SACTU and they had

struggled to build our Congress to what it was today, with over 50 unions. Many opponents of SACTU who had laughed and scoffed at the

time of its formation had now begun to applaud SACTU and some even tried to claim the credit for campaigns which SACTU had started.

In all these years, SACTU had been in the forefront of the

struggle of the workers. When there was a Stay at Home, some members of the TUC had called on the African workers to go to work, but no-

one had listened as the TUC had no influence whatsoever on African

workers.

Because of the discriminatory colour-bar clause in its consti­

tution the TUC faced hostility and isolation internationally and at

the ILO and it became aware that it had to adopt SACTU’ s multi-racial

policy.

The TUC then tried to establish ’ liaison ’ with a few African

trade unions which did not belong to any co-ordinating body. This,

they felt , would make the TUC look multi-racial. This failed .

When FOFATUSA was formed (the co-ordinating body restricted only

to African trade unions) the TUC hoped that if it established close

ties with this body, it would become multi-racial, but this too did

not alter international hostility to the TUC.

Finally, a month ago, the TUC decided to amend its constitution

to admit all African trade unions. Many of the TUC members had had

a genuine change of heart; others believed that now the TUC would be

able to put SACTU out of business. At no time did the TUC say to SACTU, "We want to drop our colour-bar. Let’ s come together to do

something about i t ." . What they hoped was that some of the long

established Unions would defect from SACTU and join the TUC.

It was now up to Conference to analyse the changed situation and

to decide our policy. We would have to decide whether the dropping

of the colour-bar without any parallel move fo fight the industrial

colour-bar was worthwhile, could now find a basis for co-operation on

specific issues, although the TUC had not committed itself to fight­

ing the industrial colour-bar.

Textile Workers’ Delegate (Durban); This delegate said that from the submissions made by Comrade Mateman it was abundantly clear that the TUC was not sincere in its policies with regard to African workers.

He made bold to say that the TUC could not be progressive unless it had the support of the African workers. African labour constituted

the major labour force in the country, and all the luxuries which the TUC members new enjoyed were obtained with African sweat. The TUC

now said to the African workers "We want to embrace you", but this

was simply because of their defeats at the ILO. The speaker con­

tinued: " I want to congratulate the members of the Management Commit­

tee on their policy statement. I am convinced that the TUC will • never implement these suggestions. We should issue a challenge to

them. Let us ask them to implement fully the amendment to the Con­stitution and then we will consolidate with them."

ADJOURNMENT OF FIRST SESSION.

As 19 delegates from Bethal had to be accommodated, the Chairman moved that the first session close half-an-hour earlier than had been scheduled. This was moved and seconded.

THE CHAIRMAN THEN DECLARED THE FIRST SESSION CLOSED AT 5 .30 P.M.

SOUTH AFRICAN CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

M I N U T E S

SEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

SECOND SESSION: SUNDAY, 22ND APRIL. 1962 AT 10 A.M.

IN THE CHAIR: Comrade S, Dlamini, Vice-President of SACTU.

CHAIRMAN' S OPENING RSMARKS.

The Chairman expressed his extreme dissatisfaction about the fact that delegates had arrived an hour late and even at 10 a.m. there were

still a number absent. He had, therefore, to postpone the continued dis­cussion on the TUC until all the delegates were present. He then pro­

posed to take the discussion on the question of wages. On a motion of

the S«A. Clothing Workers' Union, seconded by the Metal Workers' Union, this was agreed.

3 . DISCUSSION ON DEMAND FOR NATIONAL LEGISLATION FOR A MINIMUM WAGE OF R2.00 PER DAY.

In opening- the discussion the Chairman said that this was an

important aspect of our struggle. Our immediate objective was to f i l l the workers' bellios. The Secretarial Report had put the posi­

tion very clearly. Generally wages had gone down due to the in­creased cost of living. It was necessary to put our ideas into operation for if we did not win higher wages it was our fault. He then called for speakers from the farms.

A. WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF FARM WORKERS.

Farm, Plantation & Allied Workers' Union Delegate (1 ): This speaker greeted the Conference and thanked SACTU for making demands for in­creased wages. He said that there was something very pathetic about

him - a labour tenant. He received a piece of land. Others who had no land got only £3 per month and a bag of mealies. When he told his

employers that he did not get sufficient, he was told to leave the

farm.

He made an appeal to the leaders. As farm workers were not en­

lightened they should be given guidance as to what to do to improve

their conditions. Winter was approaching and they did not know how

to save themselves from being evicted and made homeless.

He told the Conference that of the delegation of 11 strong from Bethal, there was not one who had not been in jail for infringements

of administrative decrees of which they had no knowledge. He once

more appealed to the leadership for guidance.

Farm, Plantation k Allied Workers' Union Delegate ( 2 ) : This delegate

stated that he came from Tichardt and he greeted all delegates. He

stated that he would like Conference to focus attention on poor con­ditions in Bethal. The workers were given such a small piece of land

that they had to work for 12 months to get 5 bags of mealies. When they complained that they could not live on 5 bags they were told that

they were Communists. They did not understand what this meant.

He felt that here in South Africa farm workers should be organised so that they could speak for themselves, 'They did not approve of the way they were treated. Their homes were raided continually by police

and their wives with babies of only a year old were held in custody.

When they asked the reason they were told that their wives did not have permits. One moman was arrested and jailed for three months and

her child was left on the street. He felt that this proved that their employers were not their friends. They lived in luxury and ran

around in big cars while the workers starved.

Farm. Plantation & Allied Workers' Union Delegate ( 3 ) : This delegate

thanked the Conference for the privilege given him to address delegates.

He said that he would tell Conference a very sad story. Every Decem­ber, the farm workers are evicted. One man was evicted in December and his father was arrested and fined £10. When he asked what crime

he had committed he was told that he was a Communist. What was sad

about the farm workers was that they were paid only £1 a month and a five gallon tin of mealies, while the bloodsuckers (the farmers) got

10,000 bags. His employer got all the benefit of the work done by

the family of a farm worker. Yet God created the African farm worker

in the image of a white man. One cannot differentiate between a

black cow and a white cow. They both live on grass. Yet the speaker was fired because he was said to be a Communist. Conference should

tell him where he could live. The farm workers had parents who were

old. Where could they go?

One of the members of the Union asked for a permit and dwelling place for his parents in Trichardt. Only after Mrs. Muller, the

lawyer, had helped, did they manage to win the case.

Farm, Plantation & Allied Workers' Union Delegate (4 ); This speaker

greeted the Chairman and the Conference. She stated that she was

living on a farm v/ith her husband who earned only £3 per month.

They had no mealies nor coal, yet she was refused permission to work.She was told to get a pass yet even when dhe did so, she still could

not get a permit to work. Children were being asked to produce

permits. They were raided for permits at 2 o’ clock in the mornings and the wives and children were taken away to ja il . She would be

very pleased if the Conference could help them.

Farm. Plantation fo Allied Workers' Union Delegate (5 ): This was also a woman speaker who said that their lives were very sad. They worked

for nothing and their children hunted for food. The farmers wanted them to eat soil, to dress in sacks and to sleep on sacks. When they

asked for help they were beaten. They were woken at night for their

passes and were often jailed and forced to leave their children.

When the women took reference books, they were told that life would

begin. The women did so and there was still no living; there was only suffering and pain. She stated that she was very thankful to

the Conference for allowing her to speak.

B, WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF MII'IE WORKERS,

A member of the National Organising Committee for Mine Workers

spoke on behalf of Mine workers. He stated that they were the most exploited and most oppressed workers in the country and they earned the lowest wages, despite the fact that they worked harder than anyone

else. For a whole day's work they earned from 2 /3 to 4 /8 , How could they support their families, pay school fees and pay £1,15 p ,a ,

in tax? Surface workers earned only 2 /3 per shift. Yet these

workers were the cream of the country.

The mine workers wanted to know why the workers in the towns and

cities had not supported them in 1946 when they had their strike?

They were still looking to the workers in other industries for sup­port, They said that all workers should come together for higher wages. Yet these mine workers were ashamed when they walked in the

streets because the city workers laughed at them.

Most workers in cities were eligible for Workman’ s Compensation

but on the mines they had to work even when they were sick. If they

were underground workers they were forced to work above ground.

He appealed to Conference to assist the mine workers, to bring

them to the level of other workers and to demand £1 a day on their

behalf.

C, WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF RAILWAY WORKERS.

The Secretary of the S .A .R . & H. Workers' Union, Transvaal, read

the section of the Report dealing with the National Organising Com­

mittee for Transport Workers, He stated that the average wage of non-white railway labourers was £8 per month (including all allow­

ances) .

The medical officers treated these workers very badly and

forced them to work even when they were il l .

He appealed to the Cape Western Province Local Committee to

organise the Coloured workers in the catering department of the

S .A .R . & H.

D, WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF METAL WORKERS.

One of the Transvaal Organisers for the M etal■industry reported

to Conference with regard to these workers. He said that workers

were expected to work harder and produce more yet they were given no

skilled training at a ll . As an example he quoted Iscor which had its own trains and used African shunters. These shunters were trained for only three months. At the end of the training they did

the work as effieciently as white workers, yet they were paid only

£5 per month.

The capitalists continually-told the workers that with more production they would earn more, but when workers increased their

output their wage.s did not increase.

The non-white workers were prevented from becoming qualified.

Even when they operated complicated machines such as the wiring

machines at Iscor they did not receive wages in keeping with the work

they did.

Only Africans were engaged to work on the casting platforms of

the blast furnaces at the wage of £3 per month. The work was highly dangerous as the workers suffered burns and sustained serious injuries

from which many died. Those who were permanently disabled were

sacked. Injured workers often spend 6 months to a year in hospital without pay, while their families were threatened with eviction and

prison for rent, arrears. Those who received Workman's Compensation

had to use it all for rent. At Iscor the workers had to buy food

from the shops in the compound. They were bound hand and foot to Iscor and yet when they were disabled they were sacked and ejected.

E . WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF MUNICIPAL WORKERS.

The Municipal Workers' Union Delegate said that when he looked at Conference he felt that Municipal workers suffered as much as the

farm workers of Bethal. In the Cleansing Department of Johannesburg, the workers were required to remove 170 refuse tins per day and yet

they earned only £5 - £7 per month.

.There was discrimination in' che rates of pay in the various

departments as some got a daily allowance of 2/- and others did not

receive it . Those who suffered injuries were not paid. If they

complained they were dismissed. Often workers were dismissed after

15 years' service, without a pension.

F. WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF SHOP AND OFFICE WORKERS.

The Secretary of the Shop & Office Workers' Union said that

although there had been wide increases for shop workers, the majority

still lived far below the breadline and could not buy the goods in the

stores where they worked. Many shops went bankurpt as the result of

this. Employers' associations in the commercial distributive trade

had backed a campaign for increased wages.

At the Wage Board Sitting in I960, the Union had proposed a week­

ly minimum wage of £6 for all workers, but the employers had suggested

£4 per week. The reqson for this was that no other employers paid more. They wanted to make sure that their employees could buy some

of the goods in their stores, but after the increases they retrenched

staff and expected one worker to do the work of two. A few weeks

before Conference, about 25 workers who had worked for periods of twenty to forty years were dismissed. Many had started work with the

fathers end grandfathers of the present owners, yet now they were

regarded as old crocks. They had no pensions and were discarded after giving their lives to the firms. Finally they would be en­

dorsed out of the urban area for not being employed.

The speaker continued by saying that he regarded the £1 a Day slogan a temporary one. It was not sufficient for a worker to earn

the bare minimum to cover food and rent. He had to have enough for

books, clothes and other necessities,

G. WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF DOMESTIC WORKERS.

The speaker greeted all the delegates and the members of the

of the Special Branch, whom he stated he disliked. He informed Con­

ference that he was a waiter in a white man's house and he agreed with

the farm delegates who had stated that as soon as they asked for in­

creased wages they were called Communists. He said that domestic workers suffered in many ways. They could not even taste the food

they cooked. Workers in hotels saw good food being wasted, but they

could not have it . There was a great discrepancy in the wages of

domestic workers. Some earned £3 per month, others £5 and some £9,Yet they all worked as hard. He felt that it was necessary for all

domestic workers to unite immediately. He said that there were more

domestic workers than workers in mines and in factories, yet these

domestic workers appeared to be deaf and could not hear. When it was

suggested to a domestic worker that he should become a member of his

trade union he was suspicious and thought the organiser was trying to

put him in ja il . But if a worker did not become a trade unionist he was a prisoner in any case.

Delegate from the Metal Workers' Union, Transvaal: This delegate

objected to the procedure adopted by the Conference and stated that it was not necessary for delegates to hear the details of wages and con­ditions in each industry, He felt that it was necessary to discuss

how higher wages could be won. This delegate was overruled by the Chairman.

H, WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF TEXTILE WORKERS.

A member of the Textile Workers' Industrial Union, Durban, stated

that it had been made very clear by all previous speakers that all

wage-earning groups in South Africa earned poverty wages. It was for this reason that trade unions had originally been formed. His indus­

try, the textile industry, created the greatest potential wealth for

the country and paid high taxes and revenue. The bulk of the labour

was non-white and they were paid starvation wages. He contended that in view of the high cost of living, automation and other factors we

had to adjust ourselves to the present situation and make an all out

drive for wages commensurate with a decent life . He agreed with the Report of the General Secretary which stated that the crisis in the

country was caused by under-consumption, not overproduction. The blan­ket workers in the textile industry in Natal could not even buy the blankets they produced.

He called upon delegates to stand firm irrespective of threats of detention and oppression and to fight for living wages.

I . WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF CLOTHING WORKERS.

A member of the S .A . Clothing Workers' Union said that there had

been no increases in the clothing industry since 1956, despite the in­

creasing cost of living. A contributing factor to this ‘ freezing' of

clothing workers' wages was the border industries where the wages were indescribably low and affected wages in the cities.

He agreed .that South Afrioa was suffering from under-consumption. Clothing workers made clothes yet their own children walked naked.The only solution was intensive trade union organisation.

This speaker then dealt with the poverty of the municipal and

farm workers and he said that there was a tendency for city workers to laugh at farm workers instead of showing them that they were workers

like themselves and that they would only improve their conditions by joining their trade union.

CONFERENCE THEN ADJOURNED FOR LUNCH AT 1 P.M.

SOUTH AFRICAN CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS

M I N U T E S .

SEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

THIRD SESSION: SUNDAY, 22ND APRIL, 1962 AT 1 .30 P.M.

IN THE CHAIR: Comrade S. Dlamini: Vice-President of SACTU.

DISCUSSION ON POLICY STATEMENT ARISING FROM DECISION OF TRADE UNION COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA TO AMEND ITS CONSTITUTION TO ADMIT TRADE

UNIONS OF AFRICAN WORKERS. (CONTINUED FROM 1ST SESSION).

Delegate from Transvaal Glass Workers' Union: This speaker said that his Union held a different view from that of workers in other industries.

There were two glass workers' unions, one was affiliated to SACTU. The other Union made stop order arrangements with the employers for stop brder

facilities without consulting the workers. There was great dissatisfaction

among the African workers about this as they supported SACTU. With regard

to general policy he felt we should ask the TUC to fight the industrial

colour-bar.

Delegate from the S .A . Clothing Workers' Union: This delegate stated that his Union was the first which would be challenged by the TUC. Comrade

Mateman had been correct in stating that the TUC was interested in wealthy

African unions. It was necessary to be aware of this and to make sure that

workers understood what was involved and were clear about SACTU and TUC

policy. He felt sure that the members of his Union would not be confused.

He said that the TUC was afraid of SACTU because it was rallying the workers hehind it and our reply to the TUC should be that it was too late

and that it had amended its constitution too late. It wets the task of SACTU to make it clear that we were fighting for political as well as

economic rights. He proposed that our policy, statement should be sent to workers in every corner of the country.

Delegate from the Shop & Office Workers' Union: He read extracts from the

SUNDAY TIMES of 22nd April, dealing with reports that white S .A .R . 8c H. workers were challenging the Minister of Labour and white athletes were

challenging the Minister of the Interior over apartheid in sport. These

groups were in an unhappy position. They tried to exclude 'po litics ’ from their affairs and found that they were excluded from recognition by inter­

national bodies.

The TUC would find, however, that the amendment to its constitution meant nothing if it did not go to the Townships and fight for the real needs

of the Africans, including the fight against rent arrests.

The TUC should join with us in such campaigns if they were sincere.

Delegate from the Hospital Workers' Union. Durban: This delegate stated that at this junction it was net possible to work with the TUC. In all our struggles the TUC had shown clearly where it stood, namely on the side of the imperialists. They had to show clearly how far they were prepared

to go before we could consider working with them. We had at Conference,

members from the Farm, Plantation & Allied 'Workers' Union. We could not ignore them. Was the TUC prepared to do anything about their wages and

conditions of work?

Delegate from the Textile Workers1 Union. Durban; The delegate described

the TUC as a white mamba which had thrown out the African workers. He said

that though the mamba was toothless it still had poisonous fangs. They had

presented us with a challenge and it was up to SACTU to work day and night

to organise all workers, because the imperialists would now throw in their

lot with the TUC.

If the TUC was sincere in dropping its colour-bar, why didn't it dis-i

solve itself and join SACTU? They didn't do this because they are still

white mambas. It was up to us to see that we carried our policy to the

workers of South Africa.

Delegate from the Metal Workers' Union. Transvaal: This delegate stated

that he found himself in disagreement with the other speakers. He found they adopted a peculiar attitude. They wanted to reject the TUC and talk­

ed as though they wanted to fight it physically. He asked delegates to

think of our basic aim - namely, to organise and educate at the same time.

He felt that we could not organise the workers and fight amongst ourselves

at the same time. In his opinion, our policy should be to seek the best relationship with the TUC without sacrificing any of our principles or ask­

ing them to sacrifice their principles. If our course was correct we would

educate the workers and they would divorce themselves from those who did not serve their best interests. He considered that a policy of 'raiding ’TUC Unions and allowing them to ’raid' us would achieve nothing. He re­

commended to the Resolutions Committee that the incoming NEC should be in­

structed to negotiate with the TUC.

Delegate from Textile Workers' Union. Durban: He said that the point raised by the last speaker was debatable. We were not here to sacrifice

principles. If the TUC wanted to embrace the African workers they must come to us, not us to them. This was the only test of their sincerity.

They had to accept our policies in full not only in specific issues.

Delegate from the General Workers' Union. Port Slizabeth: This speaker

said he did not see how we could ’ negotiate’ with a body like the TUC unless

there was a complete acceptance on both sides of basic principles.

Metal Workers' Delegate. Pretoria: This delegate said that before we could

start any negotiations with the TUC they should go to the Government and

ask for the repeal Sf the Native Labour Settlement of Disputes Act and all the discrminatory legislation contained in the Industrial Conciliation Act.

The Chairman then called upon Comrade Don Mateman to sum up: In so doing,

he said that the general feeling of the Conference was that we should have

nothing to do with the TUC. He reminded delegates that the report to Con­ference contained a specific recommendation (in the policy statement) that

SACTU should approach the TUC with a view to co-operation on specific issues,

such as the Industrial Conciliation Act, Job Reservation, the dropping of

the industrial colour-bar. He wanted delegates to be clear about this, as

the general tenor of the contributions was that we should not co-operate

with the TUC unless they adopted our whole policy.

Metal Workers' Delegate. Pretoria: He stated that no co-operation on

specific issues was the correct policy. It was not right to single out

only some issues.

Metal 'forkers' Delegate. Johannesburg: This delegate again appealed to Conference to be realistic and not to reject co-operation on specific

issues.

Municipal Workers' Union Delegate. Durban: He stated that he saw no reason

for SACTU to compromise. The TUC had not even come to us to ask for any­

thing. What did their policy mean? We did not know and he saw no reason for an approach to them.

Textile WorkersT Union Delegate. Port Elizabeth: He felt that it would be

stupid to say to the workers that we worked shoulder to shoulder with the

TUC, There had to be agreement on basic principles first .

Furniture Workers' Union Delegate, Johannesburg: He suggested to Conference

that by picking a specific issue and asking the TUC to co-operate was the

only way of showing the workers whether the TUC was sincere. If they were not, this was the way to expose them.

S .A . Clothing Workers' Delegate. Transvaal: This speaker said that it was

necessary to ask ourselves what the TUC had not said. They had simply

amended their constitution. Was this window-dressing for the ILO? Did

they say anything about the pass laws and influx control and Job Reserva­tion? They had not done so. We should be careful about rushing to co­

operate with them in case we too were accused of selling out the workers.

Intervention by the Chairman: The Chairman stated that we were confronted

by the problem where the TUC had merely deleted the colour-bar clause in

the Constitution. Here at this Conference we did not represent ourselves,

but the masses of the working class. Whether the TUC was sincere or not would be borne out in the days to come. He felt that we should kick the

ball back to the TUC and say to them, "Come on now - fight the industrial

colour-bar". He felt that this was the only correct approach. In so

doing we would test their sincerity and if they were found wanting, they

would finally bury themselves. If they refused to join in the fight

against the industrial colour-bar, the workers in South Africa and all over the world would say that they did not mean what they had said.

This view was generally accepted by the Conference, other speakers

saying that the leopard could never change its spots.

4 . PERSECUTION OF TRADE UNIONISTS.

This section of the Report of the General Secretary was readnoted.

5 . UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT.

This was read and noted.

6 . MAY DAY.

This was read and noted.

7. REPORTS OF NATIONAL ORGANISING COMMITTEES.

(a) Mines

(b) Agriculture

(c) Metal Workers.

The above reports were read and noted.

(d) Transport: This Report had been read and discussedduring the discussion on wages.

8 . REPORTS ON LOCAL COMMITTEES.

(a) Durban Local Committee.

This report was taken as read.

(b) Pietermaritzburg Local Committee,

The Conference asked why this Local Committee had ceased to func­

tion. The Chairman then reported that for a long time the Local Com­

mittee in Durban had financed the Pietermaritzburg Local Committee and

had done all that it could to set it on its feet. The main difficul­

ty of this Committee was that Comrade Gwala was banned and restricted

and there was a lack of full-time officials to see that the Committee

functioned. It was no longer possible for the Durban Local Committee to continue to aid this Committee or to send its officials to assist

it . He felt that this area could not be neglected as the workers

were very militant and he felt that someone from Head Office should be

sent to spend some time in Pietermaritzburg. It was agreed to recom­

mend to the incoming NSC that immediate attention be paid to this area.

(c) Cape Western Province Local Committee.

The report was read. In the discussion, the delegate from the Shop & Office Workers’ Union, Transvaal, appealed to this Committee

to organise African shop workers. The big chain stores, such as O.K. and Greatermans, had large shops in all the main areas, and if all the

workers were organised in all areas, it would then be possible to negotiate for a national wage agreement.

The representative of the’ Cape Western Province Local Committee stated that a start had been made with the shop and office workers in the Cape and an organiser had been appointed. This was noted.

(d) Port Elizabeth Local Committee.

The report was read. In the discussion, the delegate from the

Domestic Workers' Union, Transvaal, appealed to this area to organise domestic workers and was informed that this was being done,

(e) Kimberley Local Committee.

The report was read and noted. It was regretted that owing to

the case against him, Comrade Mampie was unable to be present,

(f) Witwatersrand Local Committee.

The report was read and in the discussion arising from this, it

was stated that one of the main difficulties of this area was trans­

port. A delegate from another Province asked for information with

regard to the area covered by this Committee and was informed that it

was Johannesburg and the East and West Rand. He thereupon asked why

was there no report from Pretoria and was informed that although there was the nucleus of a Local Committee in that area, an official

Local Committee had not been established and the trade unionists there worked together with the Witwatersrand Local Committee in conducting joint campaigns.

It was agreed that the incoming NEC be asked to define the areas to becovered by each Local Committee,

9 . INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

As there was no time left, it was agreed that the report on International Activities be taken as read with the exception of the forthcoming session of the ILO,

The Assistant General Secretary gave a brief summing up of the

position with regard to representation at previous ILO conferences.

For all these Conferences, SACTU had not been consulted and the workers'

delegates and advisers had been chosen from trade union federations

which did not in any way represent African workers. For this reason,

SACTU had always challenged the credentials of these representatives. Last year, however, the Government of Nigeria had moved for the expul­

sion of South Africa from the ILO and this resolution had been passed

by 163 votes to none, with 89 abstentions. In view of this, the NEC

had decided to recommend to Conference that at this session of the ILO

Conference (June, 1962) it would be incorrect to challenge the creden­

tials of the delegates, but that SACTU should refuse to recognise the whole delegation from South Africa and ask for the implementation of

last year's resolution. This was agreed and it was left to the Management Committee to draw up a suitable memorandum for submission

to the ILO and to all our trade union contacts overseas and to the

Prime Minister of Nigeria,

The report of the General Secretary was then :UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED on

a motion of the Textile Workers' Industrial Union (Durban), seconded by the

Shop & Office Workers' Union, Johannesburg.

F I N A N C E

The financial statements were tabled. It was agreed that these be cir

culated to all affiliated Unions.

REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

The report of the Credentials Committee (as set out in Appendix I I of

these Minutes) was then read and adopted.

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENTS. GENERAL SECRETARY 8c TREASURER.

The following having been nominated and seconded, were elected.

PRESIDENT: LEON LEVY

VICE-PRESIDENTS: STEPHEN DHLAMINI

VIOLA HASHE

MOSES MABHIDA

GENERAL SECRETARY: MARK WILLIAMS-SHOPE

TREASURER: GEORGE MONARE.

A National Executive Committee of 13 additional members was then

elected, 8 of whom are resident within 50 miles of Head Office.

RESOLUTIONS.

The Resolutions attached (Appendix 1) were then moved, seconded,

debated, and adopted.

Before declaring the Conference closed, the Chairman asked all dele­

gates to stand in silence as a tribute to their fellow-workers of Algeria

and to the 1 ,000 ,000 dead and to pledge their solidarity and support for the new and independent Algeria.

CLOSURE OF CONFERENCE.

In closing the Conference, the Chairman said that it would be our

methods and our tactics which would decide the conduct and method of the

struggle. He told the Conference to remember that the imperialists would not remain for ever and it was our task to break imperialism at its weakest links as it had been broken in the Congo and in Cuba.

THE CHAIRMAN THEN DECLARED THE SEVENTH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS CLOSED AT 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY, 22ND APRIL, 1962.

APPENDIX I

R E S O L U T I O N S

SOUTH AFRICAN CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS - 7TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

21 -22 APRIL. 1962.R E S O L U T I O N S

1. TRADE UNION UNITY.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions calls upon the Trade Union Council of

South Africa to follow the East London policy to its logical

conclusion by fighting consistently against the policies of

racial discrimination which have outraged the conscience of the

world.

In order to further trade union and working class unity, Con­

ference requests affiliated trade unions in industries which also have registered unions to seek methods of co-operation

with such registered unions in the common interests of all workers.

2 . NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions records its utter disgust at the

poverty wages paid to the thousands of unskilled and semi­

skilled workers of South Africa. It solemnly denounces the

Minister of Labour's rejection of our draft B ill for a national

minimum wage of R2.00 a day. Moreover, Conference condemns

the Minister's action as an outrageous act of inhumanity to people who are living below the bread-line. Conference

further declares that it will continue to fight the system

of cheap labour in South Africa and calls upon all affiliated unions of the South African Congress of Trade Unions to con­

tinue their active struggle for immediate increases for all workers and a national minimum wage of R2.00 per day.

3 . 40 HOUR WEEK.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African

Congress of Trade Unions and its affiliated unions resolve to campaign to achieve a 4-0 hour working week.

4 . APPRENTICESHIP

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African

Congress of Trade Unions demands that apprenticeship training be made available to every worker irrespective of colour, race or sex.

5 . SICK LEAVE.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions declares that .the Government should make it compulsory that a worker who is absent from work

through illness, be entitled to 30 days paid sick leave in any year.

6 . UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African

Congress of Trade Unions declares that the Unemployment In­

surance Fund be extended to cover all categories of wage earners.

7. INFLUX CONTROL.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African

Congress of Trade Unions demands that influx control be abo­lished so that workers may enjoy their right of seeking work wherever they wish.

8 * DESTRUCTION OF FOOD.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions condemns the destruction of food by

Government bodies while the majority of the workers are starv­

ing. We, therefore, call upon the Government to make it illegal that food be destroyed while the people are starving,

9 . ORGANISING CAMPAIGN.

This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African

Congress of Trade Unions welcomes the campaign of the Congresses

to strengthen existing trade unions, to establish new trade unions, to recruit new members and to organise the unorganised workers.

It fully realises that only the united efforts of the Congresses

can enable us to achieve the liberation of the workers and op­pressed peoples of South Africa* from white domination and capi­talist exploitation.

Hence there is the need for the South African Congress of Trade Unions to take the initiative and lead in all spheres of acti­vity in the present campaign:

(a) that the South African Congress of Trade Unions issue

speakers' notes dealing with the second phase of the general campaign for a National Convention;

(b) that the South African Congress of Trade Unions prepare lectures and conduct classes to be attended by all acti­vists, executive members and rank and file trade union­ists;

(c) that the South African Congress of Trade Unions establish regional and factory committees;

(d) that the South African Congress of Trade Unions provide lecturers;

(e) that the South African Congress of Trade Unions build

national unions of the basic industries (e .g . metal, mines and agriculture).

10. FARM AND ALLIED WORKERS.

A. This Seventh Annual National Conference of the South African Congress of Trade Unions declares that whereas no South African

Government has ever considered it advisable to introduce legis­lation to protect the African farm and allied labourers who live in abject poverty, are ruthlessly exploited and receive harsh treatment by the rich farmers;

And taking into account the invaluable contribution this section

of the African labourers are making towards the economy of this country, the South African Congress of Trade Unions resolves to

call upon all trade unions affiliated to it, to help bring pres­sure to bear upon the Government to introduce legislation regu­lating their hours of work; for a minimum wage of R2.00 (£1)

per day; the right to organise* and form trade unions; for 21 days' leave on full pay.

Collection Number: AD1137

FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN 1954-1963

PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive

Location:- Johannesburg

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