Several statistical studies show that imprisoned trade unionists make up more than ten per cent of the persons arrested over the last three months. The bulk of them (80 percent) are members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). And within COSATU, the unions hardest hit have been the metalworkers (MAWU) and the commercial workers (CCAWUSA).
Clearly, the regime is trying to disorganize the trade-union movement in general and more particularly to hit those who, like the leaders of MAWU, have taken an active part in the struggles and self-organization of the township people.
After an initial phase of surprise and disarray, the trade-union movement has rapidly recovered. Many struggles have been waged for the release of jailed unionists and in defence of rights won by the unions in the plants. Some well-known leaders have been freed. Others, who had gone underground, have resumed public activity. At the start of July, MAWU held its congress.
The COSATU unions face a combination of problems. First, they have to relaunch union activity despite the arrests. Second, they have to fight back against the bosses who are taking advantage of the situation to try to cut into the gains made by the workers. In this context, international labor solidarity can be an important help to the independent Black union movement.
The accompanying interview with the general secretary of COSATU, Jay Naidoo, gives a balance sheet of the challenge posed to the union movement and its response.