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Volkswagen Strike action
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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MEDIA STATEMENT
 02 FEBRUARY 2000

STATEMENT OF THE PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS REGARDING THE ONGOING STRIKE AT THE VWSA UITENHAGE PLANT

On behalf of the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC, I wish to express my appreciation to the ongoing efforts of the national, 
provincial and local leadership structures of the alliance in trying to end the current crisis at the VWSA Uitenhage plant. This 
appreciation is also extended to all the workers who have heeded the call to return to their workstations and the community for their 
understanding of the importance of protecting the jobs and economic opportunities in the EC. This is a mature decision, which reflects 
their understanding that individual selfish interests cannot be greater that those of our communities.

However, it is also our wish to express concerns about those workers who have not returned to work yet. It is our understanding that some 
of these workers have stayed away due to fears of intimidation, victimisation and outright misinformation. We still maintain that the 
matter that gave rise to the strike is an issue that could be effectively and efficiently resolved within the structures of the union. We 
have a history of resolving out differences through negotiations and discussions. We have done so with the worst of our enemies, it is 
therefore not understandable that we are unable to use those very methods to address our own problems.

As expressed in our earlier comment, VWSA is one of the biggest employers in the Eastern Cape and a significant contributor to the economic 
well being of the Province, it is a well know fact that the unemployment situation in the Eastern Cape is one of the worst in the country. 
It therefore makes sense that we have consciously elevated the issue of employment retention and creation, economic growth and promotion of 
investment in our development programmes. Wild-cat strikes are surely inconsistent with that agenda.

I want to express the provincial Executive Committees support for the call made by COSATU leadership for the establishment of a commission 
of inquiry to investigate whether NUMSA has not victimised the 13 shop stewards it suspended. We believe that it can provide an objective 
and impartial mechanism for the resolution of what is essentially an internal union matter.

Issued by

Rev Makhenkesi Stofile
 On behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC

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