The ANC says the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA from Cosatu is “disappointing and tragic”.
“The expulsion of Numsa is bad for Cosatu, is bad for the alliance, is bad for progressive forces, is bad for society in general,” ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe told reporters on Monday.
He said he believed the challenges facing Cosatu were not insurmountable.
The union was expelled on Saturday morning by Cosatu’s central executive committee. Many in the federation are angry that Numsa has allegedly been “poaching” members from its sister affiliates.
Mantashe said if Numsa felt the need to extend its scope, it should have got the go-ahead from Cosatu, instead of adopting resolutions on the matter without any discussions.
The ruling party attempted to negotiate a peace deal for the federation which would not result in Numsa’s expulsion.
Mantashe said the ruling party would continue to assist Cosatu where it could.
- Group Labour Editor