Occbu
1. What does the OCCBU department do?
Supporting company councils SACCAWU uses company councils-semi autonomous structures at individual workplace. Developing Company Councils (e.g., Shop Stewards Council) at individual workplaces.
These Councils:
- Set the agenda for Collective Bargaining.
- Raise and Manage Their Own Funds.
- Make decisions independently about bargaining priorities and member needs.
- Operate with minimal direct involvement from union staff.
2. The OCCBU provides vital support to this system through:
Training and support to national and regional Sectoral Coordinators, who aid in organising, campaigning, and collective bargaining efforts.
3. Implementing Congress-Directed Campaigns
Per the resolutiona from SACCAWU’s 9th National Congress, OCCBU has a specific campaign-focused mandate:
- Raising awareness among members about union-affiliated services – like insurance, medical aid, and financial products offered through Old Mutual and Ingwe Medical Aid.
- Investigating the high cancellation rates of these products and identifying service weaknesses.
- Encouraging members to purchase union-affiliated services through targeted campaigns.
- Developing SACCAWU’s own medical aid scheme and re-establishing an investment company to move toward self-sufficiency.
Why It Matters
- Empowerment – Company councils place decision-making power with members at the workplace level.
- Functional Backbone: The department ensures these councils are well-equipped for bargaining, organising, and mobilisation.
- Financial Resilience: The unit also addresses member welfare through access to beneficial services and building SACCAWU’s financial independence.