Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Cosatu has vowed to "strongly oppose" attempts to change labour laws and allow municipalities to sue unions for damage caused by striking workers.
"Trade unions... cannot be held responsible for the illegal actions of people on or in the vicinity of their marches, who flout union instructions and commit criminal acts," the Cosatu said on Thursday.
It said most union activities were peaceful and disciplined.
"Cosatu will strongly oppose the SA Local Government Association's request to parliament for amendments to section 68(1) of the Labour Relations Act, to give municipalities the power to sue unions when striking workers loot and damage property."
To make unions liable for the financial consequences of any such actions could bankrupt them, Cosatu said.
This would make it impossible to mobilise union members in lawful and constitutionally protected action in support of legitimate demands.
"We will oppose it legally. We will mobilise against it; it's out of order. We know trashing of streets happens, but we do put measures in place to prevent it," Cosatu said.
"The amendment is tantamount to union-bashing. There is a danger that people who are not workers join strikes simply to create trouble. Maybe they are planted to do just that."
The federation said it would also oppose a Democratic Alliance private member's bill aimed at, among other things, forcing unions to take steps to prevent union members engaging in violence.
"Trade unions... cannot be held responsible for the illegal actions of people on or in the vicinity of their marches, who flout union instructions and commit criminal acts," the Cosatu said on Thursday.
It said most union activities were peaceful and disciplined.
"Cosatu will strongly oppose the SA Local Government Association's request to parliament for amendments to section 68(1) of the Labour Relations Act, to give municipalities the power to sue unions when striking workers loot and damage property."
To make unions liable for the financial consequences of any such actions could bankrupt them, Cosatu said.
This would make it impossible to mobilise union members in lawful and constitutionally protected action in support of legitimate demands.
"We will oppose it legally. We will mobilise against it; it's out of order. We know trashing of streets happens, but we do put measures in place to prevent it," Cosatu said.
"The amendment is tantamount to union-bashing. There is a danger that people who are not workers join strikes simply to create trouble. Maybe they are planted to do just that."
The federation said it would also oppose a Democratic Alliance private member's bill aimed at, among other things, forcing unions to take steps to prevent union members engaging in violence.
