Labour

Marikana massacre remembered in city centre

About 50 members of several social movements marched on Parliament and the Cape Town police station today in memory of the 34 miners killed by police at Marikana two years ago.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 15 August 2014

Terry Bell unfairly treated, says Council

Journalist and author Terry Bell was treated "shabbily" by Independent Newspapers' Business Report, which summarily dropped his weekly column earlier this year, the Statutory Council for the Printing, Newspaper and Packaging Industries has found.

GroundUp staff

News | 13 August 2014

Women who gave us a charter for all

“A scab’s charter.” This was one published description of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) when it came into being 19 years ago. Because, although the bulk of the Act was warmly accepted by the labour movement, it contained a clause that seemed to undermine its basic precept.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 12 August 2014

The uneven scales of justice

“A scab’s charter.” This was one published description of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) when it came into being 19 years ago. Because, although the bulk of the Act was warmly accepted by the labour movement, it contained a clause that seemed to undermine its basic precept.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 5 August 2014

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