PrintStructures |
Last updated: 31 March, 2009 |
Structures
Control of the union nationally lies in the following structures in order of supremacy:
- National Congress (NC);
- National Executive Council; (NEC)
- National Office-Bearers (NOB’s)
Members are represented in all the above structures in order to ensure a worker controlled union by voting in decision-making processes. The NEC manages the affairs of the union between NC’s. The NOB’s manages the union’s affairs in between NEC’s. National Office Bearers are elected every four years during the union’s National Congress
Membership
The union aims to organise all workers in the food industry in South Africa into one union. FAWU recruits and organise in both the primary and secondary agricultural sectors which covers a wide range of areas such as baking, brewing, beverages, fruit and vegetable processing, fishing and fish processing, meat packing and processing, poultry and eggs, tea, coffee and chicory, tobacco, salt, cold storage, distribution and fresh produce markets; hotel, catering, liquor trade and tearooms etc.
FAWU has about 114 000 members and integrated the South African Agriculture Plantation and Allied Workers’ Union (SAPAAWU) into it in 2004 to widen its scope to include farm workers as well.
Services to Members
FAWU exists to protect the interests of its members through provision of the following services:
- Experienced organisers,
- Worker- Controlled Decision making structures
- Expert legal advice,
- Skills training and education opportunities for shop stewards,
- Publications to keep members informed and publicity when needed;
- Affiliation with trade unions on the African continent and international trade unions such as the International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Union (IUF).
Departments
The union has an administration, subscriptions/ accounts, bargaining, education, gender, research, legal, farm workers project, media and information technology departments to render the abovementioned services to members.
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