Podcasts about Labour council

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Lisa Seftel the Executive director of Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council) as they pay tribute to the late former minister of finance and former SARB governor Tito Mboweni.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women's Fightback 32, Autumn-Winter 2024. Inside: Labour in Power: What Next? — Editorial Pride in Labour? — An interview with Max O'Hara & Sacha Marten Labour Won't Save the NHS — Elaine Jones Justice for Justine & Jay — Jesse Michaels Slip — An Interview with Amelia Loulli Abortion is Healthcare: demo report — Sabrina Rahma Duale Free Speech and Abortion — An Interview with Greta Kaur-Taylor A Sigh of Relief – But for How Long? — Betty Allen Dispatches from the French Left — Marine Azua The Strike Against Apartheid — Lizzy Brooks Poetry: The Silent War — Sarah Pritchard Review: Uncertain Futures — Dominika Szarek Review: Judy Chicago — Jill Mountford Imane Khelif: Sport & Transphobia — Natalia Cassidy The bastards are out. After 14 years of Tory rule, this edition of Women's Fightback is brought to you under a Labour government. It is crucial that feminists and socialists think clearly about this new political reality, and that a real debate opens up about what our strategy should be. Our lead piece surveys the situation and sets out a rudimentary programme, and we continue the theme with a deep- dive into Labour's NHS policy. We also carry coverage of Labour's slide on LGBT rights, and some shocking union-busting by a Labour Council. As always, we also bring you a mix of history, culture and internationalism. We have first-hand reports from the US election and the French left, as well as the history of an anti-apartheid strike. We review a poetry anthology and some feminist art exhibitions. And we re-tell the story of a bizarre transphobic witch-hunt against a cisgender gold-medallist at the summer Olympics. We hope you enjoy it. More online: https://workersliberty.org/wf

Hello and welcome to this special show where I a joined by two of our Labour Council leaders who share their challenges running local services when the national governent is cutting local funding to the bone. We also reflect on how Labour councils change lives and how you, listening to this show, may want to get involved and campaign in the local elections on the 2nd May or even stand for your local council in a future election. During this show we have a special guest appearance from Sir John Curtice. He shares what he'll be looking to see in the local elections in the 2nd May and tell us what the public are thinking. Enjoy this show and see you on the campaign trail up to the 2nd May. If you are or know of a Labour Candidate who would like to come onto the show. Email labourpodcast@gmail.com Twitter: @labourpodcastWant to donate to help kick the Tories out and get Labour in? Then just click this link https://donation.labour.org.uk/page/95385/donate/1?locale=en-GB- Fancy listening to the songs chosen by our Win24 Labour Candidates? Then check out our Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4fejZmjzeSG36fgrxZryTx?si=dfdb82c93ed94fd8

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) questions both the cost assumptions used for the technology in the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), as well as the 900 MW yearly build limit placed on distributed solar in its formal submission to the department. SAPVIA's response, which was submitted ahead of the March 23 deadline for public comments, states that the technology cost assumptions for solar PV have been inaccurately estimated for Horizon 1 to 2030 (The draff IRP 2023 also includes Horizon 2 from 2030 to 2050). The association, which has more than 800 members from across the solar value chain, also argues that the input cost assumptions for all renewable energy generation technologies appear higher than international benchmarks. "Resultantly, the modelling outcomes in Horizon 1 contain less renewable generation capacity compared to the previous IRP iterations and less than benchmark studies and comparative modelling," SAPVIA states, arguing that these assumptions should be amended to reflect costs associated with public and private projects already procured domestically. The absence of technology learning rates and cost decreases is also highlighted, including expected significant cost decreases for battery storage. SAPVIA, thus, recommends, that the department undertakes revised modelling with updated technology costing to develop a least-cost reference case against which later policy adjustments can be made. The organisation has also urged the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to clarify the rationale for placing a 900 MW yearly build limit on distributed solar, describing the rationale for the limit as "unclear". It highlights that the 900 MW constraint does not reflect Eskom data showing that 2 352 MW of private solar PV was installed from February 2023 to February 2024. Likewise, it does not align with the 384 solar PV project registrations with the regulator last year for a total capacity of 2 738 MW, or the SAPVIA Installed Capacity Dashboard, which recorded additions of 1 203 MW in the first quarter of 2023 alone. CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu notes that there is already a mismatch between the prevailing IRP 2019 and solar PV installation rates and that there is likely to be even greater divergence should the draft IRP 2023 become the official plan. While SAPVIA supports the splitting of the IRP into two horizon's, it highlights that Horizon 1 does not adequately address loadshedding, which should be a primary objective. "The updated IRP 2023 must indicate a stronger urgency towards energy security and a firm plan to eliminate loadshedding in Horizon 1." The comment document also points to a misalignment between the draft IRP 2023 and other government policy and recent industry development, including reforms under way in the electricity supply industry (ESI). SAPVIA argues that, for effective implementation, the IRP should be calibrated with other policies, including the National Development Plan, Eskom's Transmission Development Plan, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan and the Electric Vehicles White Paper, as well as new electricity and climate legislation. "Alignment between the IRP and the changing ESI landscape brought about by market reform in South Africa is crucial for policy certainty. "Both are key enabling factors for private sector participation in the generation and, eventually, in the transmission and distribution industries," SAPVIA argues. Melamu indicates that SAPVIA is ready to collaborate with government in finalising the IRP 2023 either through additional consultations, or through structures such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) questions both the cost assumptions used for the technology in the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023), as well as the 900 MW yearly build limit placed on distributed solar in its formal submission to the department. SAPVIA's response, which was submitted ahead of the March 23 deadline for public comments, states that the technology cost assumptions for solar PV have been inaccurately estimated for Horizon 1 to 2030 (The draff IRP 2023 also includes Horizon 2 from 2030 to 2050). The association, which has more than 800 members from across the solar value chain, also argues that the input cost assumptions for all renewable energy generation technologies appear higher than international benchmarks. "Resultantly, the modelling outcomes in Horizon 1 contain less renewable generation capacity compared to the previous IRP iterations and less than benchmark studies and comparative modelling," SAPVIA states, arguing that these assumptions should be amended to reflect costs associated with public and private projects already procured domestically. The absence of technology learning rates and cost decreases is also highlighted, including expected significant cost decreases for battery storage. SAPVIA, thus, recommends, that the department undertakes revised modelling with updated technology costing to develop a least-cost reference case against which later policy adjustments can be made. The organisation has also urged the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to clarify the rationale for placing a 900 MW yearly build limit on distributed solar, describing the rationale for the limit as "unclear". It highlights that the 900 MW constraint does not reflect Eskom data showing that 2 352 MW of private solar PV was installed from February 2023 to February 2024. Likewise, it does not align with the 384 solar PV project registrations with the regulator last year for a total capacity of 2 738 MW, or the SAPVIA Installed Capacity Dashboard, which recorded additions of 1 203 MW in the first quarter of 2023 alone. CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu notes that there is already a mismatch between the prevailing IRP 2019 and solar PV installation rates and that there is likely to be even greater divergence should the draft IRP 2023 become the official plan. While SAPVIA supports the splitting of the IRP into two horizon's, it highlights that Horizon 1 does not adequately address loadshedding, which should be a primary objective. "The updated IRP 2023 must indicate a stronger urgency towards energy security and a firm plan to eliminate loadshedding in Horizon 1." The comment document also points to a misalignment between the draft IRP 2023 and other government policy and recent industry development, including reforms under way in the electricity supply industry (ESI). SAPVIA argues that, for effective implementation, the IRP should be calibrated with other policies, including the National Development Plan, Eskom's Transmission Development Plan, the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan and the Electric Vehicles White Paper, as well as new electricity and climate legislation. "Alignment between the IRP and the changing ESI landscape brought about by market reform in South Africa is crucial for policy certainty. "Both are key enabling factors for private sector participation in the generation and, eventually, in the transmission and distribution industries," SAPVIA argues. Melamu indicates that SAPVIA is ready to collaborate with government in finalising the IRP 2023 either through additional consultations, or through structures such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

Host: Dawn Hemingway Matt Baker, President of the North Central Labour Council and Candis Johnson, Vice President of North Central Labour Council will join me to speak about the work and community initiatives of the Labour Council. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/boomercasts/message

To open the Wheeler Centre's 2023 Spring Fling series, six Australian cultural icons took to the stage at Melbourne Town Hall for an intimate evening of storytelling, reflecting on the moments that shaped them and called upon them to–go above and beyond in their careers, personal lives and creative endeavours. Hosted by Patricia Karvelas, the line-up of special guests included writer and disability activist Hannah Diviney, tennis champion Jelena Dokic, award-winning author Melissa Lucashenko, prominent campaigner for the Voice to Parliament Thomas Mayo, and Zimbabwean-Australian singer, actor and writer Rufaro Zimbudzi, followed by a very special musical performance by celebrated singer-songwriter Emma Donovan. The following reflection on the theme Above and Beyond was shared on Opening Night by proud Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man, Thomas Mayo. Thomas is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. He is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, and is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council. Thomas has previously written five books published by Hardie Grant, and has articles and essays published in The Guardian, Griffith Review and Sydney Morning Herald. This event was recorded on Wednesday 4 October 2023 at Melbourne Town Hall. Featured music is Different Days by Chill Cole.Spring Fling is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and is supported through the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.  Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Game Changers podcast celebrates those true pioneers in education who are building schools for tomorrow. In this second conversation of Series Thirteen, we talk with Thomas Mayo, National Indigenous Officer of the MUA, a lead campaigner for the Uluru Statement proposal for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice, and the author of Dear Son – Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons. Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, and is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council. Thomas is the author of four books, and has articles and essays published in The Guardian, Griffith Review and Sydney Morning Herald. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Oliver Cummins for Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at learn@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn and Twitter. Let's go!

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Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi said government, the social partners and communities must join hands and become more innovative in confronting the complex challenges the country is facing in taking South Africa to a higher growth path. Nxesi was speaking during the Presidential Social Sector Summit, in Boksburg, on Thursday, which he said came at an opportune time for the National Economic Development and Labour Council's (Nedlac's) community constituency. He said a new social compact to create jobs should outline the principles of a “new consensus”, beyond merely specific actions or interventions and it must enable action on interventions whose scale was large enough to place the country on a clear path of recovery. “We must also endeavour not to leave anyone behind. We, therefore, need to broaden our consultation and participation wider and beyond government and the Nedlac social partners,” he said. Nxesi said the social compact should also resolve the current impasse on long-standing areas of disagreement or stalemate, and should not only include issues where broad agreement already exists. “The agreement should build on the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan which was launched by the President, but extend beyond. It must be seen as the first approach that will shift the needle on [the right] economic path. The focus should be on fewer priorities, big-ticket items where consensus is required, not a laundry list of initiatives or a comprehensive plan,” he said. He noted that the social compact must include commitments from each social partner and not only actions that government would take. “Other people think that it must be government acting on that and that and theirs is to be beneficiaries. No, all stakeholders must come to the party and contribute,” he said. Nxesi proposed that some departments that provided key services operate seven days a week, to improve services and create more employment. He added that management in the State must also be dealt with. “We are talking about the capacity of the State, have we employed the right people? Do they have the right qualifications and do they have the right culture of work? When employed, do they stay at work and are they up to task? We must be honest, we have to deal with this culture,” he said. POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT AND INEQUALITY Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu also pointed out that the focus must be on the real challenges that were faced by people. Those included poverty, unemployment, inequality and the value chain of the country's economy - an economy, she said, that was not opening up particularly to young and black people. Zulu said her department was also looking at social entrepreneurship. She said her department was responsible for the well-being of citizens across the board and for ensuring the potential of each and every citizen. “In its multiple manifestations, this sector has been the primary source of cohesion, sense-making and cooperation in communities,” she said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has named the 14 members that will serve five years on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Advisory Council, as part of government's plan to intensify the transformation of the country's economy. Earlier this week Ramaphosa pointed out that the BBBEE Commission's 2020 report revealed that most economic sectors are falling short of their black women ownership targets. Ramaphosa said the country's commitment to entrench and deepen economic empowerment was unwavering, adding that this was the reason why black economic empowerment was an integral part of the country's economic reconstruction and recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eight of the Council members were female, with Ramaphosa explaining that he took into account provincial representation, sector expertise, gender and age before making appointments. In line with legislation, members have expertise across a variety of economic sectors and come from business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia. Members of the BBBEE Advisory Council are: Black Business Council CEO Kganki Matabane Black business veteran Gloria Serobe Academic and specialist on industrial development funding Dr Nthabiseng Moleko South African airline executive Sibongile Sambo Industrialist Sibusiso Maphatiane Chartered accountant and BBBEE specialist Ajay Lulu Senior leader in the labour movement Louise Thipe Trade unionist and researcher Makale Ngwenya Progressive Professionals Forum leader Kashief Wicomb Academic, spatial development planner and businessperson Dr Lulu Gwagwa National Economic Development and Labour Council executive council representing the community constituency Thulani Tshefuta Competition Commission chief economist James Hodge Director of a company in the healthcare sector Khathu Lambani Makwela Internal auditor Irene Dimakatso Morati. Ramaphosa extended well-wishes to the Council in their transformation efforts.

The show The full interview with bonus material: As the Freedom Convoy protest was reaching its peak last week, the Northumberland Labour Council wrote a scathing open letter expressing its disdain for what it saw as racism, hatred, and misinformation. There was a lot of criticism, not just for the protesters but for the government […] The post Northumberland Labour Council issues letter condemning protest, government and police appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Aftermath of protest leaves many questions and concerns nationally and locally, says expert Influencers play role in organizing Freedom Convoy and in Northumberland Freedom Convoy Orange Shirt Day video upsets Alderville Chief

Executive director at National Economic Development and Labour Council, Lisa Seftel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CyprusScene review of the actions of the UK Labour, Council Leader, condemned for racism against the TRNC This episode is also available as a blog post: https://cyprusscene.com/2021/11/20/uk-labour-council-leader-condemned-for-racism-against-the-trnc/ Don't forget to select FOLLOW on our channel listing to hear more news and reviews from Northern Cyprus CyprusScene Podcasts can be found on the following apps Anchor, Google Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, PocketCasts, Breaker, Castbox, Apple Itunes

Brendan interviews veteran labour and anti-war activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke about developments in Australia: There has been pushback by Australian labour, and also the Green Party, concerning the aggressive AUKUS military pact. Henry has submitted his own motion to Labour Council. There is a lot we can do in Canada to oppose the developing Cold War with China.

Brendan interviews veteran labour and anti-war activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke about developments in Australia: There has been pushback by Australian labour, and also the Green Party, concerning the aggressive AUKUS military pact. Henry has submitted his own motion to Labour Council. There is a lot we can do in Canada to oppose the developing Cold War with China.

Brendan interviews veteran labour and anti-war activist Henry Evans-Tenbrinke about developments in Australia: There has been pushback by Australian labour, and also the Green Party, concerning the aggressive AUKUS military pact. Henry has submitted his own motion to Labour Council. There is a lot we can do in Canada to oppose the developing Cold War with China.

When we are able to fulfill our life's purpose, in this case helping ensure that people's voices were heard, inequities were addressed and choice was actioned, as part of the responsibilities of what we are paid to do, we tend to infuse really positive stuff onto those we work with. I was one of the lucky ones provided the opportunity at an early point in my own career to work with such an individual – Bill Howes. Bill is someone who through every action and every word he spoke, exuded leadership, alignment with core values and passion for what he did. He knew what he was good at. He built leaders along the way. And he has continued to make a positive difference in his retirement activities. Bill spent most of his career working for and with unions, as a paid employee within those organizations. It might be something for you to consider too. Our unions need great leaders too. Hope you will join us! About the Guest: Bill Howes is a native Torontonian. He went to school in Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute, and at nineteen he started working at Northern Electric in Bramalea, Ontario. Bill got involved with organizing for the United Electrical Workers while working at that plant. Shortly after, he moved into the office part of Northern Electric, which had a company association. He became active and one of the leaders of a strike by Northern Electric office workers in 1966, the first successful strike ever at Northern. Coming out of the strike, the association members realized they needed a legitimate union, and Howes was on the committee that interviewed all of the unions with a connection to telecom. They chose the United Auto Workers (UAW). Bill became involved in organizing with the UAW and was active in that local for several years. Bill left Northern in 1972 and went to work with the Canadian Labour Congress (the umbrella organization for many of Canada's unions) to organize white-collar workers. He organized the first chapter of the Association of Commercial and Technical Employees (ACTE). Knowing his background in organizing telecom, the Communications Workers of Canada (CWC) asked that Bill be put on loan from the CLC for its organizing drive. The CWC eventually hired him, making him National Representative responsible for organizing in Ontario in 1974. Bill focused on a variety of organizing campaigns through his years with the CWC, primarily with office, technical and operator units across the nation. He also taught seminars on organizing. In 1989 he left the organization which, through several amalgamations over the years had now become the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers' Union, to accept the position of Executive Assistant to the President of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council and the responsibility of being the labour link to social justice movements. Bill left the Labour Council in 2000 to establish Organizing Resources, providing consulting services to unions conducing organizing campaigns. In his “retirement” he also co-founded Not Just Tourists and has worked tirelessly on behalf of feral cats in the Greater Toronto Area – more on these in the podcast! *With appreciation to Joan Roberts and her overview of Bill in her excellent book Cracked: How Telephone Operators Took on Canada's Largest Corporation… and Won!If you wish to contact Bill, he can be reached at bill.howes43@gmail.comThe website for the Toronto and Yukon Region Labour Council is Toronto & York Region Labour CouncilThe book referred to in the podcast is Cracked: How Telephone Operators Took on Canada's Largest Corporation… and Won! by author Joan RobertsAbout the Host: Susan has worked with people all her life. As a human resource professional, she has specialized in all aspects of employment, from hiring to retirement. She got her...

Guest: Maya Fisher-French It's being reported that Treasury is considering allowing people hard hit by the pandemic, to withdraw some of their pension savings before retirement. Last week, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said Treasury was in talks with National Economic Development and Labour Council about possibly allowing limited withdrawals from retirement funds under very specific conditions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cosatu and the Restaurant Association of SA say an in-principle agreement was reached at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac to reinstate temporary employer/employee relief scheme or TERS. But the acting spokesperson for the Department of Employment and Labour, Musa Zondo, says this is still to be confirmed by Cabinet which is expected to meet on the matter today. He added that a decision still needs to be taken on which industries may benefit. TERS payments commenced at the start of hard lockdown last year to workers negatively affected by Covid-19 restrictions, and were suspended in March. We speak to RASA's CEO, Wendy Alberts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About Sharan Burrow Sharan Burrow was elected General Secretary of the ITUC at its Second World Congress in Vancouver, June 2010. Prior to this, she held the position of ITUC President since its Founding Congress in Vienna (November 2006) and the position of ICFTU President since its 18th World Congress in Miyazaki (November 2004). She is the first woman to have held any of these positions.Sharan was born in 1954 in Warren, a small town in western NSW, into a family with a long history of involvement in unions and the struggle to improve the lives of working people.Her great, great grandfather participated in the shearers' strike of 1891/92, becoming one of the first organisers for the Australian Workers' Union and standing for the state seat of Cobar for the fledgling Australian Labor Party in 1896.Sharan studied teaching at the University of NSW in 1976 and began her teaching career in high schools around country NSW.She became an organiser for the NSW Teachers' Federation, based in Bathurst, and was President of the Bathurst Trades and Labour Council during the 1980s.Sharan was elected Senior Vice-President of the NSW Teachers' Federation and became President of the Australian Education Union (AEU) in 1992. She represented the AEU on the ACTU Executive through the 1990s.Sharan was previously Vice-President of Education International from 1995 to 2000. Education International is the international organisation of education unions representing 24 million members worldwide.In May 2000, Sharan Burrow became the second woman to be elected President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).In October 2000, Sharan also became the first woman to be elected President of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions Asia Pacific Region Organisation.She has also served as a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation and a member of the Stakeholder Council of the Global Reporting Initiative. As part of her ILO responsibilities, Sharan chaired the Workers' Group of the Sub-Committee on Multinational Enterprises.Sharan Burrow was re-elected General Secretary of the ITUC at its 3rd Congress, in Berlin, May 2014 and at its 4th Congress, in Copengahen, December 2018. About Amanda WhiteAmanda White is responsible for the content across all Conexus Financial's institutional media and events. In addition to being the editor of Top1000funds.com, she is responsible for directing the global bi-annual Fiduciary Investors Symposium which challenges global investors on investment best practice and aims to place the responsibilities of investors in wider societal, and political contexts.  She holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Art in Journalism and has been an investment journalist for more than 25 years. She is currently a fellow in the Finance Leaders Fellowship at the Aspen Institute. The two-year program seeks to develop the next generation of responsible, community-spirited leaders in the global finance industry. What is the Fiduciary Investors series?The COVID-19 global health and economic crisis has highlighted the need for leadership and capital to be urgently targeted towards the vulnerabilities in the global economy.Through conversations with academics and asset owners, the Fiduciary Investors Podcast Series is a forward looking examination of the changing dynamics in the global economy, what a sustainable recovery looks like and how investors are positioning their portfolios.The much-loved events, the Fiduciary Investors Symposiums, act as an advocate for fiduciary capitalism and the power of asset owners to change the nature of the investment industry, including addressing principal/agent and fee problems, stabilising financial markets, and directing capital for the betterment of society and the environment. Like the event series, the podcast series, tackles the challenges long-term investors face in an environment of disruption,  and asks investors to think differently about how they make decisions and allocate capital. 

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy has indicated that government is likely to integrate green-economy components into the country’s Covid-19 economic recovery strategy, details of which are yet to be released by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Speaking during a webinar on Thursday, Creecy said that there was a growing understanding within government that promoting a more sustainable economic trajectory, which supported greater climate resiliency, could open up new industries. She listed renewable energy, the circular economy and public employment programmes that rehabilitate ecosystems and ecosystem services as key areas of focus for government. “I think there is very much a recognition now that we should not see the economic response to climate change as one only of threat to existing jobs and existing industries, but we should start to understand it as something that also contains within it enormous potential. “Of course, this does mean that finding the means of implementation and finding investment for new industry and new technologies is very important,” Creecy said. In mid-September the National Economic Development and Labour Council agreed an action plan for economic recovery that would be considered and finalised by Cabinet. Renewable-energy features in the plan, along with a commitment to “address Eskom’s financial crisis in a sustainable manner”. Creecy also noted support, at the level of the African Union, for the formulation of an ‘African green stimulus’, which would focus on revitalising ecotourism, waste management, energy generation, conservation and associated nature-based economies. Creecy currently chairs the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment. In his September 31 virtual address to the United Nations General Assembly on Biodiversity, Ramaphosa also appeared to endorse a green recovery saying: “As we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, not only must we raise the ambition of our biodiversity targets, we must also ensure that the recovery effort fosters greater and not less harmony with nature.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Gazetting of a Ministerial determination enabling the development of more than 11 800 MW of new electricity capacity by independent power producers (IPPs) signals government’s intention to move ahead with one of the key reforms needed to unlock growth and investment in the ailing economy, which has been further knocked by the Covid-19 pandemic. In his weekly newsletter, the President said that several additional reforms would be implemented in the energy sector in the coming months, along with other economic reforms to establish a firm and enduring foundation for the return to growth and job creation that South Africa sorely needs. He added that concerns raised about energy policy uncertainty were being addressed on an “ongoing basis through the reform process that is at the centre of our national economic recovery effort”. His letter was published amid growing frustration, however, at government failure to announce a comprehensive recovery plan from the pandemic, despite the business, labour and community representatives at the National Economic Development and Labour Council having already reached agreement on what should be included in the plan. On September 16, Ramaphosa said that Cabinet would build on this emerging common ground to finalise the country’s economic reconstruction and recovery plan in the coming weeks. In the energy sector, meanwhile, the further reforms being proposed included the impending Gazetting of amendments to regulations to enable municipalities to procure their own power from IPPs, as well as further regulatory reform to help unlock self-generation by commercial and industrial users. Ramaphosa indicated that the 1 MW threshold for self-generation projects that could proceed without a licence from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) would be sustained, but said the regulator would upgrade its licensing processes to improve turnaround times. Following months of delay, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe published the Gazette opening the way for the procurement of 4 800 MW of onshore wind, 2 000 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV), 3 000 MW of gas or diesel to power, 1 500 MW of new coal and 513 MW of energy storage on September 25, having formally received Nersa’s concurrence with the determination earlier in the month. “The next step, which will be following soon, is to initiate various procurement bidding windows including opening Bid Window 5 of the renewable energy independent power producer programme,” Ramaphosa wrote, adding that this electricity would be procured through a transparent tendering process that prioritises competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. In its concurrence, which is reflected in the Gazette notice, Nersa said that Eskom should remain the buyer of the electricity produced by the next set of IPPs. This has raised some concern in the market, owing to the perilous state of the utility’s finances. Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has expressed support for the determination, adding that some 5 000 MW of new capacity was required to help address the country’s electricity crisis and lower the risk of load-shedding. Eskom’s support is seen as crucial, as its previous hostility towards the procurement of renewable energy led to the programme stalling for four years. BANKABLE PROJECTS? Nevertheless, industry observers believe that the new IPP projects will be bankable only if the National Treasury provides guarantees that it will stand behind Eskom as the buyer, as it has done previously. Such guarantees have reportedly being put in place for the 2 000 MW currently being procured under the urgent Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Ramaphosa said that stabilising State-owned enterprises was an important part of the reform process and that addressing financial, structural, managerial and operational challenges at Eskom would take place alongside fundamental structur...

The Department of Transport and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) on September 16 launched the multidisciplinary Ministerial Integrated Security Plan, which involves the employment and deployment of an additional 3 100 security personnel to monitor and protect rail infrastructure. A spate of vandalism and theft cases recently came to light as vandals and thieves have taken advantage of reduced rail use as a result of Covid-19 lockdown travel restrictions having taken effect. “The prevalence of crime in the rail environment has reached alarming levels,” Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said during a media briefing in Rhodesfield, Gauteng. He added that, in some instances, daylight vandalism and theft of critical rail infrastructure had taken place with no law enforcement in sight. Theft included that of high-voltage cables and building materials from rail stations and rail lines. "In some instances, underground lower-voltage cables have been dug up, the roofs of buildings have been removed, as have windows and other materials. “Every day we are confronted with horrifying images of damage and destruction of our infrastructure that requires millions [of rands] to rehabilitate,” he said, adding that, on a daily basis, new pictures surfaced of cables that had been stolen. Alongside the launch, the United National Transport Union (UNTU) has voiced its cautious optimism for the plan. General secretary Steve Harris says such a plan is what the union and its affiliated federation, the Federation of Trade Unions of South Africa, asked for when they handed over their memorandums to the Presidency and other government institutions during their nationwide marches on July 26. “The standing committee of the National Economic Development and Labour Council granted us a Section 77 certificate in terms of the Labour Relations Act after we convinced them that PRASA’s downfall is a lack of political will to act against key stakeholders like the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority who are failing to adhere to its statutory mandates towards the rail industry.” The multidisciplinary approach, which involves other government departments in the justice, safety and security cluster, will ensure criminal elements are stopped, perturbed and punished for the intent to commit crimes and for crimes that are committed, which Mbalula described as “economic sabotage”. “Theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure on railway infrastructure not only places the lives and livelihoods of those who rely on trains at risk, but also has dire consequences on the economy,” said the Minister. He stated that the “ravaging” of the infrastructure was not new, but had been amplified and accelerated during Covid-19 and consequent lockdowns. Mbalula said several cases of theft have been linked to organised criminal syndicates, sometimes even involving PRASA employees, who leak information to the criminals and help to organise the crimes. In terms of the latest modus operandi, he said, PRASA’s protection services had found large “laboratories” in townships and surrounding areas where copper cables stolen from PRASA's infrastructure, are melted and exported through Mozambique, bound for the Asian market. “That is big money for these criminal syndicates.” In terms of vandalism, Mbalula said PRASA had arrested children who had burnt down about 18 train sets in Cape Town. He said these children are often high on drugs, with this particular case involving the children telling police that they were playing in the area. However, he asks what kind of children play near trains with petrol and fire-starting materials. “Similar incidents have occurred in Johannesburg,” he added. As such, Mbalula reiterates that larger, more organised players were organising criminality behind the scenes and evading arrest. With the new protection unit, he hopes such incidents can be prevented and that those behind the synd...

The Road Freight Association (RFA) says it is working with all relevant role-players to ensure that the proposed Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) is “considered properly” before implementation, and that AARTO will achieve its main purpose of ensuring road safety, says RFA CEO Gavin Kelly. When the latest set of proposed regulations were published for public comment in October last year, the RFA highlighted the pitfalls, weaknesses, “severe risk” to business and “nonsensical proposals” that were being made, all in the name of road safety, says Kelly. “The proposed regulations had vehicles being held accountable for the behaviour of drivers in some cases, or operator/owners in other cases. How do you change the behaviour of a vehicle?” In its efforts to ensure that AARTO achieves its main objective, namely road safety, the RFA has been working closely with a number of organisations, including the Department of Transport (DoT), the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Business Unity South Africa, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and Justice Project South Africa. The AARTO Act was promulgated with the aim of addressing unsafe behaviour on South African roads, by implementing a demerit point system for drivers, vehicles and operators, which could see licences, permits and operator cards being suspended or cancelled. “Fast forward to 2020 and, notwithstanding much interaction between the various government authorities tasked with implementing AARTO (DoT, the RTIA and the RTMC), we are no closer to a reasonable and effective implementation of any kind,” says Kelly. He says the RFA continues to advocate for a properly focused, resourced and proactive road traffic policing strategy, and not a “cumbersome and questionable” point demerit system and all the costs associated with operating such a system. “The RFA does not see how issuing points to vehicles will change the behaviour of people, but it will definitely go a long way to destroying both the resale value of vehicles, as well as the capex value within various businesses,” says Kelly. “The authorities need to focus on changing driver behaviour, rather than a system aimed at collecting revenue to support an administrative system. “The RFA supports interventions which serve to improve the safety of the country’s roads and reduce incidents, injuries and fatalities. One of the key priorities of the RFA is the safety of all drivers on our roads and we have no objection in principle to a demerit system applied to South African drivers.” Many countries have successful driver systems with demerit points, says Kelly. However, these are all easy to use, fair, effective, and not based on generating revenue at every point in the process. “The system must assist in improving driving standards, and thereby contribute to reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities,” adds Kelly. “The RFA believes that AARTO could be very effective if the proposed regulations were amended to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and costs.” Outa heads to court over AARTO Outa has filed a High Court application calling for the AARTO Act and the AARTO Amendment Act to be declared unconstitutional. The respondents are the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the RTIA, and the RTIA’s Appeals Tribunal. The Minister of Transport and the RTIA have filed notices to oppose the application. They have until the end of September to file their opposing papers. The AARTO Act was passed in 1998 and creates a single national system of road traffic regulation and enforcement through the judiciary. The AARTO Amendment Act, passed in 2019 but not yet in operation, moves the enforcement of traffic laws to an administrative system. When the amendment comes into force, the AARTO system will be rolled out nationwide and ...

Business for South Africa’s (B4SA’s) Martin Kingston has described the current level of cooperation and collaboration between labour, government, civil society and business as “unprecedented” and reports that the social partners are making good progress in their attempts to reach agreement on a post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan. Speaking during a webinar organised by the Covid Business Rescue Assistance network, Kingston reiterated the depth of the country’s economic crisis, with B4SA expecting South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) to contract by 10% in 2020 and for the country to shed millions of jobs. He indicated that the recovery proposal being developed by the social partners could be finalised within the coming week, revealing that seven-a-side meetings were taking place almost daily to put the final touches to the plan. The working group had been established on August 13 when President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the National Economic Development and Labour Council and the grouping was given about a month to finalise the recovery plan. “So far, we have met with a very positive response . . . and our view, as social partners, is that we need to concentrate our efforts and resources on those areas where there is common cause, rather than debating areas where there is a divergence of opinion,” Kingston said. Besides developing what B4SA has dubbed a ‘Post-Covid-19 Economic Reconstruction, Growth and Inclusivity Plan’ the social partners were also likely to advocate for the creation of a joint reconstruction task team, chaired by Ramaphosa, to oversee the implementation of the plan. To avoid duplication, it was likely that the work of the Jobs Summit task team, which was created in 2018, be collapsed into the new structure. He warned, however, that recovering from the pandemic would be “painful” and that short-term compromises would also be required for an agreement to be reached on the immediate priorities. “The silver lining, for me, is that we have found a level of cooperation and collaboration with social partners that, in my experience, is unprecedented, certainly since 1994.” Kingston highlighted in particular the fact that organised business was, for the first time, presenting common positions, with both the Black Business Council and Business Unity South Africa having endorsed the B4SA economic recovery strategy, which was presented to Ramaphosa and his economic cluster of Ministers on July 2. The paper includes a list of priority initiatives that the formation believes could bolster gross domestic product by R1-trillion in the coming three years and claw back some 1.5-million jobs. Some R3.4-trillion would be required to fund the strategy, however, and B4SA had argued that South Africa would have to consider “non-traditional funding pools” such as sovereign wealth funds and alternative asset classes, given the strain on tax revenues and the rising costs of bonds. “We are only going to be able to unleash that capital and mobilise it if we speak in an unambiguous and compelling manner both domestically and internationally,” Kingston asserted, adding that “ruthless prioritisation” would also be required in light of the country’s limited financial resources and capacity to implement.

This week we've got plenty of news to update you on some of what's been happening for workers during the pandemic. We also hear from Brett Edgington, Secretary of the Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council about ACM's announcement that it will close their printing factory in Wendouree with over 130 jobs lost. We continue the discussion Annie started last week about the huge impact COVID-19 is having on regional media. Then we'll hear from Scott Collom, an outreach organiser with the Young Workers Centre about how apprentices are struggling to continue their training at TAFE and on the job due to ongoing restrictions and uncertainty.  

First we hear from Kacie Duncan, a Community Projects Officer at Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, about her work with disadvantaged people entering the workforce. Then we hear a chat with Dave Fox, AMWU organiser and history buff, about the state of the movement and where to from here. 

Business Day TV — The National Economic Development and Labour Council met to discuss the economic and labour impact of the coronavirus along with mitigation measures to avoid the spread of the virus. Business Day TV caught up with Martin Kingston the Vice President of Business Unity South Africa to talks about the decisions made.

The issue of jobs and climate change is the topic of a new report released jointly by the AMWU the ETU the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, the MUA and the Victorian Trades Hall Council. The report is called Putting the ‘Justice’ in ‘Just Transition’. We were there.

Doug speaks with Hamilton-area activists David Rennie and Ken Stone, who formed part of the resistance to Justin Trudeau on Labour Day. The Prime Minister decided to crash the Labour Day parade and use it for election photo-ops, even though the Labour Council made clear that he was not welcome. Thanks to anti-war activists, indigenous justice advocates, and union members, Trudeau was chased unceremoniously out of the parade and the park.

Doug speaks with Hamilton-area activists David Rennie and Ken Stone, who formed part of the resistance to Justin Trudeau on Labour Day. The Prime Minister decided to crash the Labour Day parade and use it for election photo-ops, even though the Labour Council made clear that he was not welcome. Thanks to anti-war activists, indigenous justice advocates, and union members, Trudeau was chased unceremoniously out of the parade and the park.

Interview with Brett Edgington, Secretary of the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council. Brett took me on a tour of Ballarat Trades Hall and told me about the history of the labour movement in Ballarat.Sallly Warren from United Voice spoke about her experiences working in aged care and why she chose to speak at the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, Basia Sokal resigned as President of the Winnipeg Labour Council, citing harassment and bullying from men within labour leadership. This audio of her resignation was recorded by Emily Leedham with Basia’s permission at the Winnipeg Labour Council Meeting. It is uploaded here in its entirety as a record of the event. Besides audio levels being adjusted, the recording has not been cut or edited in any way.

7am intro and acknowledgement of country7:02am News:- NT Labor announces cops at schools in NT- Morrison gov't announces new private school funding gravy train - Dutton no confidence motion 7:15am Jacob and Zane speak with Tim Gooden, former Geelong Trades and Labour Council secretary and Victorian Socialists Lead candidate for the Western Region upper house seat at the November 24 Victorian election.  Key issues include job creation in regional areas, improved healthcare and education, how the State government could support the change the rules campaign, renationalising the energy sector and other privatised services, retooling the old Ford factory for electric Vehicle manufacturing. Crucially, Vic socialists see seats in parliament not as an end in themselves but as a pathway to strengthen people powered campaigns in the street. 7:33am News:- Indie group Band of Montreal joins other acts in pulling out of Israeli music festival- Australian artists back call for boycott of Eurovision song contest which is to be held in Israel, and urge SBS not to participate7:45am Jacob and Zane speak with Tanya Davidge, president of Our City Our Square. The group is spearheading a campaign to prevent the privatisation of a key chunk of Fed square by the Andrews government, who want to hock it off to Apple.7:58am Green Left Weekly announces new supporter model as our people powered activist media model evolves.8;am activist calendar 8:08 News:- Unionists break from Labor over TPP sell out as ALP parliamentary caucus backs TPP free trade deal in direct contravention of party policy voted on by the rank and file.MUA and ACTU speak out against the craven sell out by the party inner circle and Hunter Workers secretary Daniel Wallace quits ALP in response.8:26am Breaking News: AEU condemns Prime Minister Morrison's multibillion dollar handout to elite private schools and flags intention to campaign against Liberals in 18 marginal seats in response 

This week, the Union of Canadian Transport Employees has called for the government to buy back the Canadian Wheat Board from the Saudi-U.S. joint venture, Global Grain Group. The Harper government sold 50.1% of the CWB to the joint venture, which is now known as G3 Canada Limited. UCTE President Dave Clark highlights that grain shipments through the Port of Churchill were vital to Churchill’s livelihood. He also notes that the port itself and the Hudson Bay Railway leading up to the port were both privatized in 1997 by the federal Liberal government and sold to Denver based company OmniTrax. The privatization of the port, railway and wheat board has lead to the perfect devastating storm for Churchill. ----------- Basia Sokal is a proud member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 856 and a letter carrier in Downtown Winnipeg. She is a Former VP and acting President of her local, and current president of the Winnipeg Labour Council. She started activism early on, working at Superstore while in high school where she became steward and worked on organizing campaigns with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 832. She was born in Poland and came to Winnipeg with her family in the late 80s as political refugees. In this episode, Sokal discusses the impact Unifor’s disaffiliation with the Canadian Labour Congress has had on local organizing in the province and on the Prairies. She also addresses the need to bridge the gap between unionized and non-unionized workers, and the challenges facing the Manitoba labour movement under the Brian Pallister’s austere, union-busting Conservative government.

Right after finishing recording our next episode we heard a rumour that Vision Vancouver has walked away from Vancouver District & Labour Council talks with COPE, OneCity, Greens and Team […] The post Emergency Pod: Vision walks from VDLC appeared first on Cambie Report.

Vancouver’s progressive parties jockeyed in advance of the Vancouver District & Labour Council’s meetings to try to reach a unity consensus. Ian reports from Jean Swanson’s The City We Need […] The post E-166 Green lights at the Crossroads appeared first on Cambie Report.

Winnipeg general strike begins 40 days of social unrest.Canadian soldiers returned from World War I to find war factories shutting down and bankruptcies triggering massive unemployment and rapid inflation. Knowing that many had profiteered from the war industry, the veterans resented their futile search for decent jobs, pay and working conditions. On May 1, 1919, the Building and Metal Workers Union of Winnipeg went on strike for better wages, prompting the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council to expand matters into a general strike. On May 15, 1919, the city’s telephone operators, known as the “hello girls,” became the first of 30,000 union and non-union workers to take to the streets. It had been only two years since similar worker frustration had led to the Russian Revolution – a fact that so scared the Canadian government, officials quickly amended the Immigration Act and the criminal code to threaten strikers with deportation and imprisonment.Winnipeg’s mayor went even further, firing most of the city’s police officers for sympathizing with the workers. He then hired 1,800 special constables equipped with horses and baseball bats. Early June was marked with riots, the arrest of union leaders, protests and violence. Two strikers were killed and 34 wounded before union leaders wanting to prevent full-scale violence called off the general strike on June 25. Seven strike leaders were given jail terms of up to two years for trying to overthrow the government. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The signing ceremony for the minimum wage and labour law changes has been postponed until further notice after trade union Cosatu requested more time more time to consult its executive committee. A signing ceremony was to be held in Cape Town this afternoon. Earlier reports suggested that the National Economic Development and Labour Council yesterday agreed to a minimum wage of R20 per hour. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to COSATU president Sdumo Dlamini

In this episode, BZE Community radio goes on a listening tour to find out who has done what work in relation to transitioning workers out of carbon heavy jobs.  Viv builds on the talk (March 2015) by Bob Massie from Harvard who visited Latrobe and Hunter Valleys as well as the Galilee Basin and found a lot of rehabilitation needs to be done.Join our guests: Amanda Tattersall from Unions NSW, John Parker from Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, Dave Kerrin - Earthworker Co-Operative, Darren Snell, RMIT University, Tim Gooden Geelong Trades hall and John Rainford - A Short History of Social Democracy throw in their two bob’s worth.Here's one idea from Renew Economy (online magazine)

 The past week has seen several front page stories and prominent reports in the media attacking trade unions. We seek out a response from union officials to these attacks. Is there any basis to the allegations made in the media. Who stands to benefit from a demonised and criminalised union movement? Why now? Are these media attacks timed to coincide with federal and state anti democratic legislation before parliaments? We speak with Luke Hilikari, Campaigns Coordinator and Trades Hall, Tim Gooden General Secretary of the The Trades and Labour Council, Geelong, and Dave Kerin, long time union activist and campaigner.