Unions need to move with times

There’s a cynical comment that striking for jobs is like eating meat to support vegetarianism … and it does come to mind when considering Cosatu’s protests this week, which were aimed at highlighting unemployment. Leaving aside that irony, however, it was interesting to see the comparatively small turnout of red-clad demonstrators – at least in comparison to the strike actions of the past. Does this mean that Cosatu, or even trade unionism itself, is in decline?

Certainly, Cosatu has been badly hurt over the past few years by its strong association with Jacob Zuma and even now, with Cyril Ramaphosa heading the ANCpart of the tripartite alliance, Cosatu has yet to be fully rehabilitated in the minds of many.

At the same time, the competitor trade union federation Saftu, led by Cosatu deserter Zwelinzima Vavi, has been making solid gains and appears to be winning the marketing war – at least judging by the larger numbers it attracted in its protest last year against the national minimum wage.

Union members, as we have said before, are privileged members of society – though they might not agree with that assessment – because they have jobs when so many do not. On the other hand, the pressure of unions, which has dictated this country’s labour policy, is one of the reasons cited by business as constraining job creation.

Yet, unions still have an important role to play as organs of civil society, especially when a ruling party threatens to go rogue, as happened in the years when Zuma was president. Across Africa, unions have been the catalyst for change.

What is worrying is that some of our union leaders continue to dwell in some socialist mental utopia, promoting economic solutions which have failed everywhere else.

The world is changing and flexibility, not dogma, is what will save us.