Midrand - The State and Allied Workers Union (Sasawu) appears to have boycotted Cosatu’s national congress, which began today in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Both Sasawu and the SA Football Players Union did not send delegates to congress, the federation’s credentials report revealed.
While Sasawu did not release an official statement, Patrick Craven, the spokesman for unions supporting the reinstatement of metalworkers union, Numsa, said he heard they were boycotting.
While supporting unions want to challenge the current leadership of Cosatu, the credentials report suggests their chances of victory are slim.
Among the unions that have pledged support for Numsa and expelled general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi’s reinstatement are the Communication Workers Union (CWU), the catering union, Saccawu, the nurses union, Denosa and the Food and Allied Workers Union.
Vavi and Numsa are also supported by public servants union Pawusa.
Together these unions have a fifth of the total of 2 500 delegates at the Cosatu congress.
On the other hand, unions that support the current leadership include new metalworkers union, Limusa, the federation’s biggest union, health and allied workers union Nehawu, the National Union of Mineworkers and others.
These unions make up almost 1200 delegates.
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