The alliance ‘needs a strong, united Cosatu’
ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete says divisions in federation disturbing
AUNITED Congress of SA Trade Union was important for a strengthened tripartite alliance which also includes the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the ANC.
“United we will confront any threat posed by counter-revolutionary forces, divided we shall fall in one heap like a house of cards,” ANC chairwoman and Speaker of National Assembly Baleka Mbete told Cosatu delegates at its special national congress yesterday.
“You dare not fail… there is no room for failure. History will never forgive you if you fail. Cosatu must emerge united and victorious,” she said to an applause from delegates.
The country’s biggest trade union federation held its special national congress this week, 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 the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Mbete added that that the alliance partners were disturbed by the divisions within Cosatu.
“None of the alliance partners and its membership can take pride in the disunity threatening to tear our beloved federation apart.’
“When Cosatu hurts, the ANC feels the pain too.”
Earlier yesterday, the call for unity by Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini was met with applause from his supporters and booing from some of the disgruntled unions.
Dlamini took to the podium to open the congress that saw disputes over credentials being put to a vote on Monday night.
Referring to the expelled National Union of Metalworkers Union of SA (Numsa), Dlamini called on affiliates to free themselves from enslavement by a union that was outside of the trade union federation.
“Free yourselves… you can’t be enslaved by another union inside or outside Cosatu. Free yourself comrades, attend the central executive committee of Cosatu and argue your stance… when we vote, do not abstain from that process,” he said to an applause by his supporters, and a booing from the Food and Allied Workers Union and the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union delegates.
Dlamini added that Numsa was attacking Cosatu.
“Numsa is attacking us. They are not showing any sign of change at the moment. I read their document they authored recently… they planned against the Cosatu congress and resolved in that document to break Cosatu.”
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.
Dlamini told delegates that Numsa was given enough time to review its stance and they refused.
“Numsa was given 18 months to review their position.
“If they (Numsa) come back and indicate they have changed, then this congress will give them an ear at its next sitting.”