The SACTU Solidarity Committee (SSC) was created by the SACTU National Executive Committee in May 1980. The Committee served as the representative of SACTU in Canada from 1980 until 1987 and was responsible to the SACTU National Executive in all of its work.
At different times the committee included representatives from the National Office and locals of the Canadian Autoworkers (CAW), Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), Communication Workers of Canada (CWC), Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), United Electrical Workers (UE), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and the Ontario Public Service Staff Union (OPSSU). The committee began with two staff members and added a third french speaking staff member for work in Quebec.
The SSC mandate covered three major areas of work:
Education about the reality of apartheid, the workers of South Africa, their unions and the role of SACTU;
Acts of political solidarity such as resolutions and messages distributed through underground organizers in South Africa, pension fund divestments and support for Canadian sanctions against South Africa;
Direct financial assistance through the SACTU Strike Fund (which totaled over $250,000 in seven years). 390 Canadian union bodies made contributions including 109 on a sustained basis. (click here to view list)