INTERNATIONAL union rights Page 23 Volume 21 Issue 2 2014 Despite the presence of the security services union members loudly denounced the state of the economy and the problems in their industry I n late April, I attended a special conference organised by our sister union, the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Rail Workers’ Union (‘ZARWU’). The event had been called to enable the election of a new leadership team as their General Secretary was due to retire. This was a very comradely event, even though Mugabe’s security forces tried to intimidate delegates. Just as conference was about to commence, a speaker took to the rostrum and asked those working for the security services to identify themselves . Of course all the delegates knew who these were, as in close-knit union like ZARWU, activists are known to each other. Somewhat sheepishly, 3 people rose and identified themselves. Two were plainclothes police officers and the third worked for Mugabe’s extensive security entourage. What happened next was an act of both courage and defiance. The speaker told them that they were only there because delegates did not mind their attendance as ZARWU had nothing whatsoever to hide. They were also left in no doubt that had their presence not been welcome, they would have been booted out. I was then invited to identify myself - an easy task as I was the only white person in the hall. I was told that I should note and report the conditions under which trade unionists are forced to meet in Zimbabwe. Hence, why I am now putting pen to paper. Yet, the security forces completely failed in their attempts to intimidate delegates. Speaker after speaker denounced the economic misery that has beset ordinary people whilst Mugabe’s elite drown in wealth. Due to lack of investment, Zimbabwe’s rail network is almost completely obsolete. Trains are forced to run without a functioning signalling system. Injuries and fatalities among rail workers are sky high. One speaker called for the rail network’s boss – a Mugabe appointee and former army general – to be jailed for miserably failing to protect the health and safety of workers. Conference also heard that most rail workers have not been paid in full, with many owed up to 9 months of their salary. ZARWU itself has been deprived of over $300,000 of membership dues that bosses have failed to pass on from union members’ pay packets. Conference then went on to elect a new leadership team. Even though Mugabe’s disastrous mismanagement, cronyism and repression have caused severe economic hardship, this was a very joyous occasion for our sisters and brothers in ZARWU. Delegates repeatedly broke into dance as conference paused to allow votes to be counted . In my address, I gave a firm undertaking that our union will continue standing shoulder-toshoulder with them as they fight to bring an end to the economic misery and repression that has befallen their country. I must tell you that I was completely humbled by their courage and determination in their on-going struggle to create a better future for ZARWU members and the people of Zimbabwe. After conference, I was told that the security forces were there to record the entire proceedings . They will later review the tapes and may arrest participants for what they said. This was so phlegmatically put to me that you instantly understood that our comrades in ZARWU no longer fear Mugabe’s thugs. In my view, their recently retired General Secretary epitomises what’s best about trade unionists. As a veteran of the struggle to create a better Zimbabwe, he has been arrested and jailed on at least three occasions . He was around in September 2006 when 147 trade unionists were locked-up and some were brutally tortured. Yet, completely undeterred , he continued fighting. Back in 2006, trade unionists demonstrated against rapidly deteriorating living standards. Sadly, in today’s Zimbabwe, not much has changed. Over 90 percent of the working-age population is unemployed and the vast majority of those fortunate enough to be in work, earn poverty wages of less than $1.16 a day. Having been in Zimbabwe, I can tell you that most prices are...