Fawu urges rebel unions to attend congress

ONEof Cosatu’s rebel unions which boycotted its central executive committee is still clinging onto the federation despite suggestions it was preparing to split from it.

The Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) has said it would attend Cosatu provincial congresses, which are a prelude to the July special national congress, as it also prepares to attend the main event itself, said Fawu general secretary Katishi Masemola.

Several unions, including the Footballers Union, Communications Workers Union and State Workers Union, announced recently they would consult their national executive committees to establish whether members wanted to cut ties with Cosatu completely, and their strategies in relation to the special congress they had called. Fawu said it had decided to take part in the events, which would chart a way forward for the embattled Cosatu.

“We can’t call for something and then leave it. We hope to convince the others to do the same.” said Masemola.

Provincial congresses would be held in Limpopo, Western Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga this weekend. However, other provinces would not be granted the opportunity to meet ahead of the important special congress as they were scheduled after July 13 and 14, when the gathering would be held.

This wouldwork to the disadvantage of those provinces which sought to evoke leadership changes or renew mandates ahead of the special congress.

Cosatu leaders are engaged in intensive work to restore problematic provinces where the unions have a strong footing, such as the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

Spokesman Norman Mampane said they had no plans to amend the schedule to ensure provinces met ahead of the congress, which will discuss the federation’s unity and possibly face a leadership contest as the renegade unions planned to move such a motion.