The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) was launched on 24 February 1999, after the merger of PPWAWU and CWIU. From its inception, the new union CEPPWAWU committed itself to the principles of a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.

Our main broad strategic objectives:

• to building a strong, democratic organisation controlled by its members;
• to unity, comradeship and solidarity of all workers;
• to fight and oppose discrimination and exploitation in all its forms within the union, the workplace and in society;
• to co-ordinate, affiliate, associate and formulate working-class relations with other worker organisations or federations or any progressive organisations within the community of South Africa and internationally in order to build a better life for the working class and all South Africans; and
• together with these organisations, to fight for these ideals and establish a future South Africa free from unemployment, poverty and disease, racial oppression or economic exploitation.

As result the union is based on the following core principles:-

• Non-racialism and non- sexist - CEPPWAWU reject without reservation any attempts to sow disunity among the workers on the basis of colour, nationality, sex, religion or creed.
• Worker control - We believes that workers must control the structures and committees of the union. This approach aims to keep the organisation vibrant and dynamic, and to maintain close links with the shop floor.
• We also want workers to be equipped to determine their own future in the country and in the economy. In a country where women have been highly oppressed, we are determined to strive for gender equality and women leadership.
• International Solidarity - International solidarity is the lifeblood of trade unionism - particularly in the era of multinational companies. We are committed to building links with unions in the newly industrialised countries. New international conditions open possibilities for a unified union movement.

Objectives

The aim and objectives of the union are:-

• to recruit and unite workers in order to share their economic and social welfare;
• to protect the job security of members, to advance their employment prospects, and to serve their individual and collective interests;
• to foster unity, co-operation and comradeship amongst all workers within the scope of the union and other industries;
• to establish relationships with other domestic and international trade unions, trade union federations and labour organizations for the benefit of members of the union;
• to regulate relations between employees and employers,
• including any employer organizations;
• to promote, support or oppose legislative or other measures affecting the interests of members;
• to establish and administer funds for the benefit of its members and their dependants; and
• to encourage the settlement of disputes between members and employer organizations whether by way of conciliation, mediation or arbitration or any other lawful means.