New union upbeat about Cosatu congress

NEW UNION, the Liberated Metalworkers Union of SA (Limusa) is looking forward to making its mark as it attends its first Cosatu congress held in Midrand, Joburg, it said.

“We are excited to be here, this is our first congress within Cosatu. Limusa delegates are looking forward to robust debates alongside other affiliates… we expect to come out of this congress united,” said deputy secretary Mawonga Madolo.

“We are the future in metal industry, and we’re here to make history.”

The new Cosatu affiliate, seen as a replacement of expelled National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), was admitted into Cosatu in March.

It held its inaugural elective congress in Durban last month, where leaders were elected.

Former Numsa president Cedric Gina, who spearheaded the founding of Limusa, is the union’s secretary.

Mdolo said Limusa was not a replacement for Numsa.

“Limusa is not replacing anyone within Cosatu, as people might think; we believe in a worker controlled union… one union, one industry is the way forward,” he said.

The country’s biggest trade union federation is holding a special national congress that ends today, amid its deepest crisis since its formation in 1985.

The federation has been marred by deep divisions and factionalism that reached boiling point after the expulsion of Numsa and its former secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.

Numsa, which was the biggest affiliate in terms of membership, was expelled last year for bringing the federation into disrepute.

This was followed by the expulsion of Vavi in March.

A subsequent court bid by Numsa to be reinstated into Cosatu and to be allowed to participate in the special congress failed recently.

At least nine Cosatu affiliates who have aligned themselves with Numsa and Vavi have vowed to argue Numsa’s case at the congress, although Cosatu had indicated that the Vavi and Numsa issue was not on the agenda for the congress. – ANA