The New Age reports that labour federation Cosatu is concerned that two of its affiliates could defect to join a mooted new trade union federation led by its former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA’s (Numsa’s) October 2016 secretariat report suggests that the union (Numsa) is on the brink of persuading the SA Football Players Union (Safpu) and the SA State and Allied Workers’ Union (Sasawu) to join the new federation. Cosatu national spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said they had been stunned by reports that Sasawu and Safpu could follow in the footsteps of the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) and thrown in their lot with the Vaviled federation. “They never told us they are leaving," he said. Sasawu general secretary Manelisi Tyatyantsi confirmed that the union was considering leaving Cosatu. "At the moment we don't have a concrete position," he said. While Sasawu and Safpu are smaller Cosatu affiliates, their defection could have a psychological impact on Cosatu following the expulsion of Numsa.
- Based on a report by Bonolo Selebano on page 4 of The New Age of 11 November 2016
- Read an extended summary of the report at SA Labour News
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