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Labour Q&A with Terry Bell
Fin24 user Heather S is seeking clarity on what is at play in the Cosatu/Numsa split. She writes:
Hi Terry
I would so appreciate a clear summary of what the intended and unintended consequences of this development could be. To the interested but not expert followers, such as myself, it is very difficult to see what these “moves” and intentions mean in translation.
Our media seems to have a singular focus – to spread the “ain’t it awful, dangerous, bad news” in an inept percussion piece because they never go further by giving interpretation for the interested layperson. That is one reason I follow your column, but I would like more substantial interpretation so I can sit back and formulate a view which is validated or cancelled by what I read.
Terry Bell responds:
Hi Heather
In a situation like this, with so many agendas in play, it is not possible to predict consequences. They could be — depending on your point of view — good, bad or indifferent, although indifferent seems very unlikely.
What we have in play here is the potential for a move toward greater grassroots, democratic control within the union movement that may spill over into broader society. But it faces huge challenges from authoritarians both in power and hoping to gain power.
I hope this movement toward more democratic control, along with the demand for an egalitarian society, is not hijacked by special interests and distorted, does not dissipate in disillusionment or is not crushed by repression.
All I am saying is that I have pessimism of the intellect here, but optimism of the will to try to ensure that the democratic surge is not misused or diverted.
Regards, Terry
* Add your voice or just drop Terry a labour question. Follow Terry on twitter @telbelsa.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on Fin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
Fin24 user Heather S is seeking clarity on what is at play in the Cosatu/Numsa split. She writes:
Hi Terry
I would so appreciate a clear summary of what the intended and unintended consequences of this development could be. To the interested but not expert followers, such as myself, it is very difficult to see what these “moves” and intentions mean in translation.
Our media seems to have a singular focus – to spread the “ain’t it awful, dangerous, bad news” in an inept percussion piece because they never go further by giving interpretation for the interested layperson. That is one reason I follow your column, but I would like more substantial interpretation so I can sit back and formulate a view which is validated or cancelled by what I read.
Terry Bell responds:
Hi Heather
In a situation like this, with so many agendas in play, it is not possible to predict consequences. They could be — depending on your point of view — good, bad or indifferent, although indifferent seems very unlikely.
What we have in play here is the potential for a move toward greater grassroots, democratic control within the union movement that may spill over into broader society. But it faces huge challenges from authoritarians both in power and hoping to gain power.
I hope this movement toward more democratic control, along with the demand for an egalitarian society, is not hijacked by special interests and distorted, does not dissipate in disillusionment or is not crushed by repression.
All I am saying is that I have pessimism of the intellect here, but optimism of the will to try to ensure that the democratic surge is not misused or diverted.
Regards, Terry
* Add your voice or just drop Terry a labour question. Follow Terry on twitter @telbelsa.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on Fin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
