COSATU rolling mass action on E-tolling and Labour Brokers
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is mobilizing its two million members for the mother of all protests against the act of highway robbery set to be committed from 30 April 2012 - the Gauteng e-tolls!
The federation filed a Section 77 notice on 16 April 2012 which will enable workers to engage in protected protest action in the form of a national stay-away on the 30 April 2012.
As part of the mobilisation programme against the veiled privatisation and commodification of our roads through the e-tolling system, COSATU will be embarking on marches, pickets, rallies, sit-ins and freeway blockades across most of our provinces.
COSATU will also be undertaking various protest actions in different provinces as part of advancing our demand for the banning of labour brokers.
Details of the Protest Activities
Gauteng
Night vigil at the Tshwane Department of Roads and Transport on 25 April 2012
Picket at the SANRAL offices on 25 April 2012 from 12h00-14h00
Pickets at the Tshwane Department of Roads and Transport on 26 April 2012 from 15h00
Freeway/Toll Road Action on 30 April 2012.
North West
Night Vigil at the Swartruggens toll gate on the 20 and 21 April 2012
Eastern Cape
Provincial marches on 21 April 2012 in East London, Port Elizabeth, Mthatha and Lusikisiki
Workplace lunch hour demonstrations and pickets from 26-30 April 2012
Free State
Joint local Shop Stewards council on 21 April 2012, Bloemfontein
Workplace lunch hour pickets and demonstrations from 23-24 April 2012
Western Cape
Occupation/Siyalalala/Sit-in at the Provincial Department of Labour offices on 23 April 2012
Workplace lunch time pickets and demonstrations 24th April 2012 at Epping Bofor Circle - Montague Gardens and Woolworths distribution centre in Montague Drive
COSATU is confident that that the 30th April actions we will be joined by thousands of angry residents and motorists who support our demand for the scrapping of the e-tolling system.
COSATU strongly believes that the pressure of the masses is crucial to forcing government to back down on this blatant extortion. Our aim is to make the tolls uncollectible and force the government and SANRAL to find more equitable ways to pay for road improvements.
We urge all members of the public, across different parts of South Africa, to pledge support for the campaign by joining the protest actions and by defying the call to purchase e-tags.
Statement issued by COSATU, April 19 2012
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