Cosatu mass action against rising costs

[Dave A]

Oh boy!

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) plans to embark on rolling mass action against rising food, electricity and transport costs, as well as interest rates, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday.

This comes after the Competition Commission announced the formation of a crack team to investigate price-fixing in the food industry.

Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said the labour federation will mobilise the public to show its ''anger in the streets''.

He said a series of marches, demonstrations and stay-aways will begin from next week.

"We have made a call for every organisation in South Africa to join us, so we can build the biggest coalition of organisations opposed to the current hikes, particularly in the food prices.

"This would put pressure on food manufacturers, retail companies and farmers, so that they stop profiting on the expense of the poor and ordinary South Africans."

Cosatu said its protest action will be directed at Business Unity South Africa and its relative affiliates, farmers' organisations, and government departments such as agriculture and land affairs, trade and industry, social development and the Treasury
from M&G here

Now is this protest really going to bring any prices down, or will it in fact cause even more upward pressure on prices?

[Marq]

If ever one was wondering as to why our productivity levels are back to 1980 levels - stop wondering and look at the strikes, rolling mass action, demonstrations, stay aways, public holidays, parliament opening days, etc all in the name of human rights, raising the poor, social development and any other excuse one can muster these days.

So right on Dave - here comes another factor for price increases.

Somehow Cosatu and their merry band of Robbing hood activities do not relate productivity to increases in anything.
Basic economics not known? I don't think so.
Another agenda? - I think so.
What that could be? I have no idea at this stage.

They must know that they are knocking at the wrong doors. they must surely know a local demonstration is not going to worry OPEC or the international markets - a key source of their problem. Local guys going to lower their profits and take a knock - I think not and they know this in advance.

So back to the thought - what is the hidden agenda?
Could it be another stab at Mbeki to make JZ look good?

[Dave A]

I think it's a move to increase popular support and get more influence wthin the ANC.

JZ has been making lots of friendly noises to the capitalist pigs of late.

[Jabu]

It does not matter if the mass action brings prices down. What matters is that Cosatu cares for the people. We are struggling and we need to know that people are trying to make things better for us.

[duncan drennan]

It does not matter if the mass action brings prices down. What matters is that Cosatu cares for the people. We are struggling and we need to know that people are trying to make things better for us.

That is just the thing - it does not appear that Cosatu cares for the people. Rolling mass action leads, eventually, to price hikes and job losses. How does that help?

[Dave A]

Stand by

[Marq]

mmmmmmm.........for what?

[Dave A]

Reasons and justifications can be surprising at times.

The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday called on the Competition Commission to intensify its investigations into the causes of high food prices.

Spokesperson Jessie Duarte said all stakeholders in food prices should convene an urgent meeting to discuss ways of minimising the effect of high food prices on the poor.

"The ANC once again wishes to register its concern over the continued escalation of food prices," said Duarte.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) announced on Tuesday that it planned to protest against rising food prices starting from next week.

Spokesperson Patrick Craven said Cosatu would engage in mass demonstrations and demand a reduction in the price of bread and other basic commodities where prices were high.

On Wednesday, Cosatu applied to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) for permission to hold the food-price protests.

In its application to Nedlac, the federation targeted companies affiliated to Business Unity SA, as it felt they were responsible for price-fixing and increased pricing.
full story from M&G here

[Chatmaster]

One thing that I have picked up in my discussions with my partners within my BEE company is that they are convinced that the income gap between employees and employers are not sitting well with people within the COSATU, ANC and SACP groups. They feel that the gap should be made smaller.

What I do not get is that they are all earning ten times more than their employees and within their own companies and organizations the income gaps are much larger than I would think it should be. It is without a doubt not a case of practice what you preach.

What I would like to see is that the press and media expose these strategies for what it is. Subtle propaganda for a clearly political agenda. I can not think of anything good that will come from this idea from COSATU especially if the real cause of the problem comes from the ANC's inability to manage their governmental responsibilities properly.

I definitely feel that if they just get a few things right it will already have a big impact on improving the economy.

• Appoint the right people to head up the SAPS and Judiciary, so there can be a real impact on crime.
• Allow competition to compete with ESKOM and Telkom.
• Remove their levies and taxes on Petrol and allow competitive pricing in petrol. They are not utilizing the funds from these costing structures for it's purpose in any case.
• Ensure that the funds allocated according to the budget are spent properly and that the services paid for are rendered.

COSATU can go and dance as much as they like, it is not business that is causing these price increases, it is Mbeki and his team that are the real culprits.

[Marq]

not sitting well with people within the COSATU, ANC and SACP groups. They feel that the gap should be made smaller.

Thats because they are all socialists trying to lead us to communism. Except for the ANC who are just playing lip service at the moment. Your partners have learned the real value of being a capitalist and never the twain will meet again.

They are on a path to ensure that we are all brought down to the lowest common denominator. Then we can all sit under a tree, contemplate our navels and lead a relaxing life. End of the struggle - So what's wrong with that?