The current crisis besetting our country is of great concern for all citizens including you, our members. Over the past two days, various messages and proposals have been doing the rounds about mass gatherings, strikes, stay-aways and public disobedience related to “national shutdowns” this week. These are to be expected, but it is important to note that not all of these are true, and are only causing confusion and fear amongst many citizens. At this stage, they are not sanctioned by NTEU.
NTEU, as a responsible union in conjunction with our federation partner, FEDUSA, will evaluate these messages and proposals and will provide leadership to our members through this current period of uncertainty. We ask that you please place trust in your national and local leaders and report any strange actions and happenings to the national office on 041-3651486 or email nteuadmin@nteu.org.za, or contact your local branch office.
The FEDUSA Management Committee is meeting this morning and we have provided them with our views to oppose the current situation in a peaceful, but urgent manner. This meeting will address the call for mass demonstrations and a “national shutdown” being purported for Friday this week. FEDUSA will hold a media briefing at 2pm at FEDUSA House after which we will communicate further with all branch structures. Until then, please continue with planned meetings and representation of worker issues, as they are of equal importance.
NTEU remains an apolitical structure and as such will not align itself to any particular political party view. We will work with FEDUSA as an independent voice for workers and currently the only apolitical labour union federation.
We will always place the best interests of members first as we navigate through this national crisis created by our disgraced president Zuma. We therefore urge all members to remain calm and be assured that collectively we will get through this too!