The United National Transport Union (UNTU) bids farewell to four exceptional comrades who have combined served the Union and its members for more than 80 years.
Mr. Wyndham Evans, President of UNTU, quoted the words of the American Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellows, when he referred to Unionist Mr. Ben Jonker, Mr. Frans Crause, Mr. George Strauss and Mr. William George (Bill) Hart. “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night,” quoted Mr. Evans.
He pointed out that these men realized very early in their irrespective careers that the rights of workers as set out in labour law will remain meaningless pieces of paper unless there are not trade unions like UNTU to ensure that it becomes a reality which is enforced.
“They were committed to one of the core aims of all unionists: to protect and advance the interests of its members in the workplace. The principal purposes of a labour union is to negotiate wages and working conditions, regulate relations between employees and the employer, take collective action to enforce the terms of collective bargaining, raise new demands on behalf of its members, and help settle their grievances,” said Mr. Evans.
Mr. Strauss, was the third longest serving President of this Union which was established in 1905. Mr. Jonker, Mr. Crause and Mr. Hart together with Mr Strauss were awarded honorary life membership of UNTU.
“It is a great honour to stand here tonight and to receive this,” Mr. Jonker said after he thanked our Heavenly Father and his wife, Poppie, who stood by him and raised their children while he focused on Union matters. Mr. Jonker also thanked Mr. Strauss for his leadership.
Mr. Strauss said he had dedicated his life to the Union and was never there for his own son. His wife, Theresa, was his pillar who raised him alone. He thanked UNTU for the opportunities he had throughout the years and said he believed that the elected Executive Council of today and the Secretariat under the leadership of Mr. Steve Harris, General Secretary, have what it takes to take the Union from strength to strength. “If it was not for our God I would not have been here today,” said Mr. Strauss.
Mr. Crause thanked his wife, Annalene, for her constant support. Mr. Hart described his award as “a great honour.”
Mr. Koos Bezuidenhout, President of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) to which UNTU is affiliated, said that this UNION stands out amongst the other 20 in the Federation for never giving up and always remembering their values.
“UNTU, never gives up on your fight for rights,” he said. Mr. Bezuidenhout thanked the leadership of UNTU for their support and hospitality in his term of five years as President of Fedusa which will be coming to an end in October this year.
Mr. Harris awarded his former right hand man, Mr. Louis Brockett, who had just retired out of his position as the Senior Deputy General Secretary of UNTU, honorary life membership of UNTU. “It is not always easy to say goodbye especially to Louis, a friend, a father and a mentor who has dedicated the past 51 years, 5 months and 10 days to serving our members,” said Mr. Harris.
According to him the finest trade union can only perform if it has great leaders. “It is a pity that technology is not advanced enough to transfer your knowledge electronically. Louis you will always be part of this organization. Your retirement is well deserved. Go and rest my friend. We will miss you,” said Mr. Harris.
Mr. Brockett said if he could turn back time, he would still have left school at the age of 16 to become a cleaner and work his way through the ranks to become a unionist and the leader he is today. He thanked UNTU for affording him all the opportunities he could have asked for and assured all his colleagues that they will not find a better employer than UNTU anywhere in the world.
Mr. Brockett also awarded posthumous awards to Mrs. Annemarie de Jager on behalf of her late husband, Tiekie (Johan), as well as to Mrs. Jenny Nel on behalf of her late husband, I.B, for their lifelong commitment to UNTU.
Mr. Siyabonga Gama, CEO of Transnet, said he has worked with UNTU for decades in various positions and has always been deeply touched by the love between the unionist amongst themselves always striving to better the working conditions of its members while at the same time being a responsible labour leader in the industry. Mr. Gama thanked UNTU for honouring him by inviting him to the awards and affording him the opportunity to say a few words.
UNTU Greetings.
S Carstens
Obo
SA HARRIS
GENERAL SECRETARY
