Johannesburg - Nursing union Denosa says it will support the reinstatement of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA into Cosatu until Numsa decides it is not a battle worth fighting anymore.
The infighting in Cosatu, which has seen unions split along their support for Numsa, has resulted in recent rumours that Denosa is backtracking on its stance on Numsa’s return.
But leaders of the union, which has 86000 members, were united at a press conference on Friday in Pretoria on Denosa’s resolutions.
“If at all Numsa is not willing to come back to Cosatu, that will be evidence that Numsa is not challenging its expulsion. So if at all Numsa is going to be challenging it expulsion through the process of appealing, we will support them,” said Denosa president Simon Hlungwani.
Unlike the other rebel affiliates in Cosatu who want Numsa reinstated, Denosa has resolved to fight that battle within the federation, instead of boycotting high-level meetings with the other unions. The union is also opposed to metalworkers union, Limusa, now joining Cosatu following Numsa being given the boot.
But the union differs with the rebel affiliates on the formation of the United Front, which is led by Numsa to fight community and workplace battles, as well as the formation of a new public service union, Sapsu.
Denosa also supports the call for a special national congress which could result in the election of new Cosatu leaders and debate the direction of the federation.
“… it is obvious that our association with the so-termed nine Cosatu unions is based on the fact that we are agreeable with the call for a special national congress of Cosatu. Equally, there are matters that we don’t agree with them…,” said Hlungwani.
Asked if this strategy had worked in Denosa’s favour, the president said the union’s national executive committee still needed to debate if a change was needed.
“We have taken this decision knowing it’s not easy. It doesn’t guarantee you success all the time… but unity in Cosatu is (key). If Cosatu is not united, big monopoly capital takes advantage,” he said.
The president did appeal to the rebel unions to stop using Denosa’s name to promote events that the union did not support. This includes a recent United Front indaba.
The union’s leaders also spoke about the current wage negotiations in the public sector.
Some close to the talks have speculated that government will increase its current 5.8% offer, but this would mean that allowances would not be hiked by much.
The leaders were clear that the union would not agree to an include a substantial hike to the medical aid and housing allowances.
Labour Bureau