Fawu debate focuses on split from Cosatu

THE Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) said yesterday it would inform the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) of its disaffiliation by the latest on Monday.

The union said it was also taking legal advice on the issue of millions of rands in outstanding affiliation fees.

The affiliate which organises across SA’s agricultural sector concluded its 75th annual congress in Limpopo yesterday‚ focusing largely on tripartite alliance politics.

Fawu general-secretary Katishi Mashemola said deliberations on the exit from Cosatu had taken up the bulk of the four-day conference.

The conclusion of talks on issues facing workers in the agricultural sector would be deferred to the next national executive committee meeting.

The notice of disaffiliation would be given by the latest on Monday.

Fawu is also to seek legal advice on money owed to Cosatu.

The union did not dispute the amount‚ but said there was a number of issues requiring legal advice.

“If our lawyers say we must pay‚ we will pay‚” he said.

Cosatu on Thursday said Fawu had not paid affiliation fees to the federation for more than nine months – adding up to around R5million – and that the federation had gone further in supporting the union financially.

Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini said on Thursday that Fawu had given every indication it wanted to be expelled by Cosatu‚ including boycotting meetings in 2014.

“We are not surprised by the decision‚ but we are currently planning to meet with many Fawu members; including provincial structures that have made it clear to the federation that they are not leaving the federation.

“The reality is that Fawu is a victim of a polarising leadership that has worked hard to split an already weakened union for their narrow political reasons‚” Cosatu said.

Fawu – along with eight other unions – had opposed the 2015 expulsion of Numsa and had widely been expected to join a yet-to-be formed alternative federation. — TMG Digital/BDlive