The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the newly launched South African Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) could soon share the stage in remembering the 34 striking miners killed in Marikana almost five years ago.
Amcu treasurer-general Jimmy Gama yesterday said the union would never reject any political party, union or member of society that sought to stand in solidarity with them.
“Saftu members have not approached us a yet. But doors are open for everyone.”
Gama was responding to comments by Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Reporting back on the inaugural meeting of Saftu’s national executive committee, Vavi stated the federation would commemorate the fifth anniversary of the miners’ deaths with the union.
Saftu’s overtures to Amcu came hot on the heels of an acrimonious collapse in talks between leaders of the new union and Amcu’s political home, the National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu).
Nactu has not taken kindly to Saftu’s attempts to bring Amcu into its fold.
Vavi said the NEC had decided to work with Amcu in launching a new campaign aimed at ending what he described as a “job carnage” in the country.
Gama said the “job losses are a concern for everyone in the country".
"Because we are part of Nactu, we understand that comrade Vavi has already held negotiations with the leadership there.
"So we welcomed whatever intervention”.
Vavi said Saftu would use this time to mobilise to increase membership figures.
“We have set ourselves very ambitious targets - to grow our membership by 300 000 in order to reach one million by the end of this year and thereafter to grow by a million members every year.”
This, Vavi added, was in line with the federation's objective of organising 76% of workers who don't belong to unions.
The union targeted the fast food and restaurant sector, informal traders and in horse-racing and other entertainment industries.
“We also need to respond to the members of unions in other federations, who have inundated us with requests to join Saftu unions.”
Vavi, however, said that the federation's efforts to pursue workers were hampered by what he described as “sweetheart unions” who function in the pocket of employers.
Saftu also called on illegal miners to be regulated and for their labour to be decriminalised, saying these miners had to be afforded the rights given to other workers across the country.