THE political turmoil in the Congress of South African Trade Unions ( Cosatu ) will loom large over the federation’s May Day celebrations, with alliance leaders addressing workers on the ground across the length and breadth of the country.
The mood will be a sombre one for Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi as those plotting his downfall edge closer to their endgame, ironically taking place at the end of workers’ month — May.
Cosatu ’s central executive committee (CEC) meets from May 27 for three days for a report back on an internal facilitation process to iron out the political problems causing the deep divisions between its top leaders, Vavi and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini.
The faction linked to Dlamini had set the ball rolling on dealing with their enemies in the federation even before Cosatu’s 11th national congress last year.
Vavi’s supporters have attempted to sell the idea of a special Cosatu congress to heal the rift caused by the federation’s warring top brass.
A special congress would almost certainly return Vavi to his post, but the call is destined to go nowhere unless the opposing faction agrees to it, which for now it will not.
The decision on a special congress would have to be made at a CEC meeting, the highest decision-making body between congresses and central committees.
According to Cosatu’s constitution, the CEC is composed of the national office bearers, provincial chairmen and secretaries and national leaders from each affiliate.
Provincial leaders would largely support Vavi, but voting rights during CEC meetings are limited — national office bearers and provincial leaders have speaking rights but no voting rights. These are limited to affiliate leaders.
For a decision to be made, a motion must be tabled and seconded and could be adopted through a simple majority vote. Decisions are generally made through a show of hands — or by ballot if the meeting agrees. This means that in the upcoming CEC, any decision on Vavi’s fate would be made by national affiliate leaders alone – and in this lies his possible undoing.
According to the rules, affiliates with over 80000 members are represented by four national leaders on the CEC. Affiliates with less than 80000 members may only have two leaders on the CEC. The affiliates wanting Vavi out have the numbers on their side.
The National Union of Mineworkers, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, police union Popcru, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union are among the largest affiliates. All have more than 80000 members and would contribute 20 votes. They are all against Vavi.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA, the Food and Allied Workers Union, and the South African Municipal Workers Union are Vavi’s largest supporters, also with more than 80000 members, therefore having four representatives on the CEC, or 12 votes.
The Southern African Clothing and Textiles Workers Union and the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union, with four representatives and eight votes, are keeping their cards close to their chests.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union is divided. Its president, Thobile Ntola, supports Vavi and its general secretary, John Maluleke, is part of Dlamini’s group.
The eight smaller affiliates with two representatives each, or 16 votes, are also split and most are plagued by organisational difficulties themselves.
Any decision taken by the CEC at the May meeting will be heavily influenced by Vavi’s opponents and it is up to his allies to attempt to swing the numbers in his favour.
Today’s May 1 celebrations could provide a platform for his allies, but also for his enemies. Vavi shares the stage with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe in the Free State, while Dlamini joins President Jacob Zuma at the main Workers’ Day event in the Northern Cape.
It is not prudent to write off Vavi. His political career is by no means over, irrespective of what happens inside Cosatu .
But the balance of forces in the federation at present do paint a sombre picture for him, as the titans in his federation close in.
Natasha Marrian writes for Business Day
Insight: Cosatu political turmoil looms large over May Day
The mood will be a sombre one for Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi as those plotting his downfall edge closer to their endgame, ironically taking place at the end of workers’ month — May.
Cosatu ’s central executive committee (CEC) meets from May 27 for three days for a report back on an internal facilitation process to iron out the political problems causing the deep divisions between its top leaders, Vavi and Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini.
The faction linked to Dlamini had set the ball rolling on dealing with their enemies in the federation even before Cosatu’s 11th national congress last year.
Vavi’s supporters have attempted to sell the idea of a special Cosatu congress to heal the rift caused by the federation’s warring top brass.
A special congress would almost certainly return Vavi to his post, but the call is destined to go nowhere unless the opposing faction agrees to it, which for now it will not.
The decision on a special congress would have to be made at a CEC meeting, the highest decision-making body between congresses and central committees.
According to Cosatu’s constitution, the CEC is composed of the national office bearers, provincial chairmen and secretaries and national leaders from each affiliate.
Provincial leaders would largely support Vavi, but voting rights during CEC meetings are limited — national office bearers and provincial leaders have speaking rights but no voting rights. These are limited to affiliate leaders.
For a decision to be made, a motion must be tabled and seconded and could be adopted through a simple majority vote. Decisions are generally made through a show of hands — or by ballot if the meeting agrees. This means that in the upcoming CEC, any decision on Vavi’s fate would be made by national affiliate leaders alone – and in this lies his possible undoing.
According to the rules, affiliates with over 80000 members are represented by four national leaders on the CEC. Affiliates with less than 80000 members may only have two leaders on the CEC. The affiliates wanting Vavi out have the numbers on their side.
The National Union of Mineworkers, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, police union Popcru, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union are among the largest affiliates. All have more than 80000 members and would contribute 20 votes. They are all against Vavi.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA, the Food and Allied Workers Union, and the South African Municipal Workers Union are Vavi’s largest supporters, also with more than 80000 members, therefore having four representatives on the CEC, or 12 votes.
The Southern African Clothing and Textiles Workers Union and the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union, with four representatives and eight votes, are keeping their cards close to their chests.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union is divided. Its president, Thobile Ntola, supports Vavi and its general secretary, John Maluleke, is part of Dlamini’s group.
The eight smaller affiliates with two representatives each, or 16 votes, are also split and most are plagued by organisational difficulties themselves.
Any decision taken by the CEC at the May meeting will be heavily influenced by Vavi’s opponents and it is up to his allies to attempt to swing the numbers in his favour.
Today’s May 1 celebrations could provide a platform for his allies, but also for his enemies. Vavi shares the stage with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe in the Free State, while Dlamini joins President Jacob Zuma at the main Workers’ Day event in the Northern Cape.
It is not prudent to write off Vavi. His political career is by no means over, irrespective of what happens inside Cosatu .
But the balance of forces in the federation at present do paint a sombre picture for him, as the titans in his federation close in.
Natasha Marrian writes for Business Day
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