Cracks in Cosatu’s national structures have begun to surface in the Eastern Cape in the wake of Numsa’s recent expulsion from the labour federation.
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the province voiced its support for Numsa while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said it stood by a decision by Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC) to expel Numsa.
Five out of six South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) regions, with the exception of Butterworth, have rallied behind Numsa, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The provincial Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has come out in support of Numsa’s expulsion.
Samwu provincial secretary Siphiwo Ndunyana made a “clarion call” to reinstate Numsa, saying its expulsion would be a setback in the history of the labour federation.
“Numsa has done nothing wrong. is just to defend the neo-liberal agenda and sacrifice Cosatu on a silver platter to the highest bidders by those opposed to the progressive and radical trade union movement,” said Ndunyana.
Yesterday, a special meeting that was called to discuss the decision to expel Numsa could not go forward as the gathering failed to reach a quorum.
Only Democratic Nurses Organisation of SA (Denosa), Sadtu, Ceppwawu and Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) showed up.
Cosatu Eastern Cape provincial secretary MacVicar Dyasopu attributed the poor showing to the uncertainty resulting from the federation’s current upheaval after seven Cosatu affiliates suspended their membership.
“It could be uncertainty on the part of some affiliates as to how to get involved in Cosatu matters now that their membership has been suspended from Cosatu. We have four affiliates and we need nine to form a quorum, so we could not go on with the meeting,” said Dyasopu.
NUM provincial secretary Richard Khahlu said they stood by the decision of Cosatu to expel Numsa.
National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Xolani Malamlela confirmed receiving an invitation to the meeting, but did not attend.
“We were busy trying to resolve the ongoing strike that is currently taking place at the Bhisho Legislature,” Malamlela said.
This week, Dyasopu said the national body's decision to expel Numsa “without a mandate” was reckless and aimed at creating a “sweetheart union”. However Eastern Cape Popcru chairman Loyiso Mdingi said Dyasopu had no mandate to speak for Popcru as Cosatu provincial leaders were there to listen to members.
“Only the affiliates can talk. Not them. They can’t say we stand with Numsa.
“Whose Eastern Cape stands with Numsa?” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
EC unions split on support for Numsa
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the province voiced its support for Numsa while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said it stood by a decision by Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC) to expel Numsa.
Five out of six South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) regions, with the exception of Butterworth, have rallied behind Numsa, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The provincial Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has come out in support of Numsa’s expulsion.
Samwu provincial secretary Siphiwo Ndunyana made a “clarion call” to reinstate Numsa, saying its expulsion would be a setback in the history of the labour federation.
“Numsa has done nothing wrong. is just to defend the neo-liberal agenda and sacrifice Cosatu on a silver platter to the highest bidders by those opposed to the progressive and radical trade union movement,” said Ndunyana.
Yesterday, a special meeting that was called to discuss the decision to expel Numsa could not go forward as the gathering failed to reach a quorum.
Only Democratic Nurses Organisation of SA (Denosa), Sadtu, Ceppwawu and Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) showed up.
Cosatu Eastern Cape provincial secretary MacVicar Dyasopu attributed the poor showing to the uncertainty resulting from the federation’s current upheaval after seven Cosatu affiliates suspended their membership.
“It could be uncertainty on the part of some affiliates as to how to get involved in Cosatu matters now that their membership has been suspended from Cosatu. We have four affiliates and we need nine to form a quorum, so we could not go on with the meeting,” said Dyasopu.
NUM provincial secretary Richard Khahlu said they stood by the decision of Cosatu to expel Numsa.
National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Xolani Malamlela confirmed receiving an invitation to the meeting, but did not attend.
“We were busy trying to resolve the ongoing strike that is currently taking place at the Bhisho Legislature,” Malamlela said.
This week, Dyasopu said the national body's decision to expel Numsa “without a mandate” was reckless and aimed at creating a “sweetheart union”. However Eastern Cape Popcru chairman Loyiso Mdingi said Dyasopu had no mandate to speak for Popcru as Cosatu provincial leaders were there to listen to members.
“Only the affiliates can talk. Not them. They can’t say we stand with Numsa.
“Whose Eastern Cape stands with Numsa?” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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