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Numsa expulsion: Nactu makes an offer

Cape Town - The National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) has a mandate from its affiliates to form a “new independent federation of trade unions”.

This was the reaction of Nactu president Joseph Maqhenkeni in the wake of the announcement that the Cosatu executive had announced the expulsion of its largest union, the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa).

The message from Maqhenkeni, sent to all unions, is that a new, party politically independent federation could be formed by “all unions that adhere to four principles”.

These principles are "commitment to build a united worker movement, support for independent and democratic trade unionism, commitment to enforce worker rights interests and human dignity and to advance the economic wellbeing, social interests and working conditions of workers".

Since Numsa, at its special national congress in December last year, established itself as a politically independent entity, it clearly qualifies. However, Numsa has made clear that it has no intention of quitting Cosatu.

General secretary Irvin Jim pointed out that only a national congress of democratically elected delegates from all Cosatu affiliates may make a suspension or expulsion of any affiliate binding.

The decision in the early hours of Sunday morning by the executive majority is, therefore, only a recommendation that can be appealed.

Numsa also maintains that the two grounds quoted as reasons for the executive’s expulsion recommendation have no validity.

In the first place, the executive contends that is guilty of “going beyond its scope” in recruiting members. This is part of a long-standing and widely ignored policy of Cosatu that there should be only one union in each industry.

However, the federation has two separate unions for nurses, while the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) also recruits nurses. Ever since the formation of Cosatu in 1985, the hope has been expressed that the one union, one industry policy might someday be applied. It never has been.

Numsa is also fully within its rights, to decide to no longer to support unconditionally the ANC-led alliance or to pay a political levy to the ANC and the SA Communist Party (SACP).  There is no provision for such mandatory support.

Numsa has pointed out that the executive is guilty of flouting the federation’s constitution in not calling a special national congress that Numsa and eight other affiliates demanded nearly 15 months ago.

This matter may now go to court in an attempt to force the executive majority to abide by the constitution’s democratic rules.

- Fin24

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