It’s time for change – Ehrenreich

8 ‘I won’t be standing for Cosatu leadership again’

AFTER six terms at the helm of Cosatu in the province Tony Ehrenreich will not avail himself for re-election because “its time for change”.

Ehrenreich’s decision was in line with his belief that an individual should be limited to the number of terms in office.

In an interview with Weekend Argus this week, Ehrenreich said that staying in the position would be undermining democracy and good governance in the federation.

“When leaders stay too long in a position, that’s when you see corruption. It is time for change.”

Reflecting on his life at Cosatu, the 56-year-old father of three said there were highlights in his career he would not trade for anything.

“We took up a lot of issues on transport, education, better healthcare and better policing which affect our communities everyday.”

Farm workers went on strike for better wages between 2012 and 2013.

“Seeing the lives of farm workers improving through industrial action in 2012 was one of those moments,” he said.

The strikes led to an improvement in the wages of workers but Ehrenreich said there was a lot more to be done.

“We still have to fight for a living wage for workers. This is an opportunity for the new presidency,” he said.

According to Ehrenreich, President Cyril Ramaphosa was committed to worker issues not because of his history in trade unions but because of his involvement in the establishment of the national minimum wage.

“He is pragmatic and seems

Trade unionist Tony Ehrenreich won’t avail himself for election to the position of Cosatu provincial secretary at its elective congress in June.