Numsa seeking public sympathy - union

Johannesburg - The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is responsible for its own expulsion from Cosatu, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (Ceppwawu) said on Monday.

"They deliberately invited their expulsion in order to gain public and membership sympathy," the union said in a statement.

"We will continue to defend the constitution and policies of Cosatu including its leadership with everything we have."

Numsa was expelled from the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) by a vote of 33 for to 24 against, during a central executive committee (CEC) meeting earlier this month.

Cosatu had charged Numsa with violating the trade union federation's constitution.

Ceppwawu said it was bracing itself for an "open war of influence" on Numsa members. It would reach out to metalworkers to explain what had happened at the CEC and would try and sway members from following Numsa's leaders.

"Lies, half truths, fabrications, slander, malice and insults have become a permanent feature which defines the Numsa leadership," it said.

"We welcome the decision of the Cosatu CEC to expel Numsa from the federation."

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