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<a href="http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/2009/feb/press13.htm" eudora="autourl">
http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/2009/feb/press13.htm<br>
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<font size=3> Israeli Shipping Line Zim Tries To Sneak Into
South<br>
African Port For Offloading Cargo-Thwarted by SATAWU<br>
Dockers<br><br>
</font>Media Release: Victory for worker solidarity<br>
Issued by Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and Palestine
Solidarity Committee (PSC)<br>
6 February 2009<br><br>
The Congress of South African Trade Union is pleased to announce that its
members, dock workers belonging to the South African Transport and Allied
Workers Union (SATAWU) achieved a victory last night when they stood firm
by their decision not to offload the Johanna Russ, a ship that was
carrying Israeli goods to South Africa. This, despite threats to COSATU
members from sections of the pro-Israeli lobby, and despite severe
provocation. <br><br>
The Johanna Russ, flying an Antigua flag, is owned by M. Dizengoff and
Co., an established "pioneer of the modern era of shipping business
in the Middle East" and shipping agent for the ironically named Zim
Israel Navigation Company. (Ironic because, last year, the same SATAWU
members refused to offload the Chinese ship An Yue Jiang, which was
carrying arms and ammunition destined for Robert Mugabe’s army.)<br><br>
The worker action last night took place despite attempted subterfuge on
the part of the owners of the shipping company. There was an attempt to
confound the plan by arriving earlier than originally scheduled, which
was 8 February. Dates for the berthing of the Johanna Russ were changed
constantly. Yesterday morning, SATAWU members were told that the ship
would dock this morning (Friday) at 02:00. Thanks to the vigilance of the
dock workers, SATAWU discovered that the ship had docked on Wednesday
morning and was due to be offloaded last night at 21:00. But the vigilant
workers were on guard and immediately they realised that it had docked,
they then refused to handle it, despite pressures from management. SATAWU
members maintained their refusal to offload the ship and also attempted
to ensure that scab labour would not be used.<br><br>
A few hours after berthing, at 23:00, the Johanna Russ sneaked out of the
Durban Harbour.<br><br>
From the beginning of this action, COSATU workers remained resolute
about their position and were convinced that, following the recent
Israeli massacres in Gaza, they will take determined action against
Israel. Israel’s terror included flagrant breaches of international law,
the bombing of densely populated neighbourhoods, the illegal deployment
of chemical white phosphorous, and attacks on schools, ambulances, relief
agencies, hospitals, universities and places of worship.<br><br>
COSATU has now decided to intensify its efforts in support of the
struggles of the Palestinian people. The worker victory in Durban
yesterday spurs COSATU members on to more determined action in order to
isolate the Apartheid state of Israel. Other Cosatu unions are currently
in discussion about how they might also give effect to Cosatu resolutions
on boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, including a refusal
to handle Israeli goods, and continuing pressure on our government to
sever diplomatic and trade relations with Israel.<br><br>
The momentum against apartheid Israel has become an irresistible force.
We are proud to stand with the millions around the world who say ‘Enough
is enough’. They are doing what we asked them to do when we faced the
apartheid regime in our own country.<br><br>
COSATU and the PSC call on all people of conscience to join us in
boycotting Israeli products and institutions until a just, democratic
state, with equal rights for all comes into existence in Palestine. This
is just the beginning of a solidarity campaign which will continue until
the demands of the Palestinian people have been won.<br><br>
For more information, call:<br>
Randall Howard (Satawu General Secretary) - 082 564 6298<br>
Patrick Craven (Cosatu) – 082 821 7456<br>
Melissa Hoole (PSC) – 073 906 0017<br>
Bongani Masuku (Cosatu)– 079 499 6419<br>
Salim Vally (PSC) – 082 802 5936<br>
Na’eem Jeenah (PSC) – 084 574 2674<br><br>
<br><br>
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