Fawu quits Cosatu

File picture: Matthews Baloyi

File picture: Matthews Baloyi

Published Aug 24, 2016

Share

Bela Bela - The Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) has resolved to leave Cosatu after six of seven provinces present at its national congress explained their members wanted nothing to do with the federation.

Delivering mandates given by members to the gathering being held in Bela Bela, Limpopo, provincial leaders told congress that staying within Cosatu while their ideologies were no longer aligned would be a waste of time.

However, shop stewards from the Western Cape said their members did not want to leave Cosatu as yet, having faith in winning if they fought from within.

The union said it was yet to resolve on whether to establish a new federation or form part of the mooted new organisation being championed by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA, Numsa and axed Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.

While not all provinces had mandates on the move, delegates made it clear that the latter was considered a natural selection.

Fawu has been at odds with Cosatu since the expulsion of Numsa, saying the federation was being biased in its decision.

It joined other unions which took the federation to court, forcing it to convene a special congress at the height of Cosatu's rupture.

“There is a vacuum as a result of the Numsa expulsion. We don't hear Cosatu debate around the political economy, with regards to dollar/rand exchange, import and export tariffs. We don't hear any of that anymore. There is no one who moves with that aspect of politics in the CEC. Business is going to town. We are facing a challenge, the sugar tax, we hear in terms of analysis 60-70 000 workers in the beverage manufacturing sector will lose their jobs as a result. Yet nothing is being said. We are saying we must leave Cosatu, and participate in the formation of a new labour federation,” said Fawu Mpumalanga leader, Enerse Mmako.

@ThetoThakane

Labour Bureau

Related Topics: