The New Age reports that labour federation Cosatu is concerned that two of its union affiliates could defect to join a mooted new trade union federation led by its former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA’s (Numsa’s) October 2016 secretariat report suggests that the union (Numsa) is on the brink of persuading the SA Football Players Union (Safpu) and the SA State and Allied Workers’ Union (Sasawu) to join the new federation to be led by Vavi.
Cosatu national spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the federation had been stunned by reports that Sasawu and Safpu could follow in the footsteps of the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) and thrown in their lot with the Vaviled federation.
While Sasawu and Safpu are smaller affiliates of Cosatu, their defection could have a psychological impact on Cosatu following the expulsion of Numsa. This, according to Cosatu, could kill the morale to rebuild unity.
Pamla warned that the unions, when they disaffiliate, would have to provide reasons for their defection. "The day you disaffiliate, you have to inform us. They never told us they are leaving," he said.
Sasawu general secretary Manelisi Tyatyantsi confirmed that the union was considering leaving Cosatu. "At the moment we don't have a concrete position," he said.
According to the Numsa report, a list of 52 unions participated in talks to form a new federation set to rival Cosatu. Added to the mix, was the inclusion of Solidarity and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).
Numsa was concern though that Amcu could be "developing cold feet". "Despite our concerns about Amcu not coming-on board at the pace we would have wanted them to, in line with the previous decision, Numsa is renewing its efforts at dialogue with Amcu. That dialogue must take place nationally and at regional and local level," Numsa said.
Based on a report by Bonolo Selebano on page 4 of The New Age of 11 November 2016
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