Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

South African Union Leader visits Melbourne

Willie Madisha addresses CFMEU shop stewards at Trades Hall

On Thursday 17 November the President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Mr Willie Madisha visited the Victorian Trades Hall Council. 

Accompanied by the ACTU’s International Officer, Alison Tate, Cde Madisha was welcomed to the Trades Hall by VTHC Secretary, Brian Boyd, and a number of key VTHC professional staff.
He gave a report on the issues facing trade unionists in South Africa and, in particular, commented on COSATU’s relationship with the ANC government.

One interesting piece of information from the discussion was that COSATU recently set up a full-time office next door to the South African Parliament. The purpose of this was to allow the union movement regular input into legislation to make sure workers’ rights were not forgotten.

The CFMEU were having a shop stewards meeting at trades hall and the union leadership invited Cde Madisha to address the 400 strong meeting. He received a very warm welcome and told the crowd he was in Australia to show solidarity with the Australian union movement in their battle against John Howard’s IR laws. He said the South African trade union movement and the ANC had fond memories of how the Australian trade union movement had offered strong support during the anti-apartheid struggle. Cde Madisha also pointed out that if John Howard won here the international working class would be the losers. He emphasised it was important for Australian trade unions to show unity and win at all costs.
Brian Boyd
VTHC Secretary

 Willie Madisha addresses staff at Trades Hall

 

  Willie Madisha Addressing CFMEU Shop Stewards
 Alison Tate, Willie Madisha and Brian Boyd @ Trades Hall

 Willie Madisha Addresses CFMEU shop stewards

  


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