Samwu members confirm defection to Vavi-aligned union

Tensions mounted at Buffalo City's roads and waterworks section this morning as more than 50 Samwu members signed forms confirming their defection to a newly-established Zwelinzima Vavi-aligned municipal workers union this morning.

The union called the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union (Demawusa) is one of the affiliates of Saftu, a federation which Vavi said will take Cosatu head-on in all shop floors across the country.

Local Demawusa organiser Lalukuthula Makhubalo said at least 406 former Samwu members have since joined the new union, "because we are sick and tired of being used as pawns for those who want to get rich quick".

At the centre of the troubles among BCM workers was the across-the-board R40 000 windfall workers received earlier this year following a deal between Cosatu-aligned South African Municipal Workers Union and the BCM management.

An unidentified Samwu member who was at the entrance of the roads section in Chiselhurst tried in vain to convince workers with the new union, saying "these are fly-by-nights".

His intimidating tactics did not help either, as he said: "I am registering all of you".

New Demawusa recruit Bongani Krokrani, who was among the crowd waiting for Vavi at the main gate just before 9am, told the Samwu leader to "go away. This is our time, not yours. We are sick and tired of your Samwu".

In support of Krokrani, Makhubalo said: "No amount of intimidation is going to make us hide away. We have clocked in already. Even if you deduct money from us, it will be our salaries not yours which will be deducted. We know how to deal with the principle of no work, no pay," said Makhubalo.