Who are creative workers?

Musicians, actors, poets, technicians, writers, composers, performers, independent producers, television presenters, radio disc jockeys, general disc jockeys, arts administrators, artist directors, photographers, arts educators, choreographers, dancers, designers and other sector practitioners.

What is the role of the union?

• To improve its members conditions of employment.
• Lobby government and employers on behalf of their membership.
• To protect and promote the rights of creative workers.
• Foster cohesion in the creative industries.
• Capacitate the SADC region in order to be able to share in the collective intellectual property.

What has the union done thus far?

• The union has had some victories in lobbying on behalf of the Creative workers. It has been able to implement Needle Time (music sector).
• Operation Dudula - aims to fight piracy, which is a flagship campaign for CWUSA.
• Seriti – Social Security Plan for the creative sector, which was launch in 2006.
• The union is currently engaging the Department of Labour in defining whether Labour Relations Act (LRA) protects creative workers.
• It also in engagement with the Department of Education on enforcing arts and culture education. This will also benefit unemployed creative workers.

What are the challenges?

• A programme of action has not yet been adopted as a process of restructuring is underway.
• Lacks sufficiently skilled human resources.
• Poor communication with its constituency.
• Cross-section of representation has not been achieved, thus the union is largely representative of the music and performing arts sector due to its merger history.
• It has not as yet achieve financial stability.

You can contact CWUSA: 011 339 1676 or 082 293 2259