Unions call for a new federation
NUMSA says there has never been a greater need for a new trade union federation.
The metalworkers union yesterday joined 49 other unions in Boksburg at the first ever Workers Summit - ahead of Workers Day today. Delegates were addressed by former Cosatu secretary-general - Zwelinzima Vavi. National spokesperson, Patrick Craven, says the new federation should be more effective.
"The one that exists now has never been weaker. It is fragmented, it is split and the biggest one, Cosatu, has become nothing more than a labour desk for the ANC government by defending the policies that they have created and ironically sometimes complaining about those same policies," he said.
Numsa and other unions will today hold their May Day rally in Tembisa. Meanwhile COSATU's main rally today takes place in Mamelodi with ANC President Jacob Zuma and SACP leader Blade Nzimande among those billed to speak.
The KZN leg of national celebrations will be held in Durban.
Cosatu provincial secretary, Edwin Mkhize, says a number of leaders are expected to address the masses.
"We are going to be addressed by the leaders of the revolutionary alliance, by our General Secretary, Bheki Ntshalintshali, the Secretary General of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe, the first Deputy General Secretary of the SACP, Jeremy Cronin," he said.
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