COSATU+reaction+to+formation+of+SACOTU

COSATU Media Release, Thu 2007/11/08 05:07 PM
=COSATU’s reaction to SACOTU=

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted the announcement of the formation of a new trade confederation – South African Confederation of Trade Unions (SACOTU) - consisting of Fedusa and Nactu. We will study with interest the programme and constitution on which the new structure is to be founded.

COSATU has always supported the vision of one united trade union federation in South Africa and has very recently, in pursuance of this goal, written to the other two federations requesting a meeting. We look forward to receiving positive responses to these letters.

COSATU hopes that the new confederation will not take the narrow, short-sighted road of trying to become a rival to COSATU. We trust that they will always remember that it is the employers, not COSATU, who are their main enemy, and give that enemy no grounds for thinking that they now have the chance to play divide-and-rule between different workers' organisations and thus seriously weaken the union movement.

COSATU hopes that this initiative could rather be a stepping-stone towards bringing to fruition the historic vision of "One Country-One Federation", something all workers want but which would be impossible without COSATU and its 1.9 paid-up million members. 'Unity' without COSATU, which represents the majority of workers, cannot be true unity.

We appeal to the leaders of SACOTU to keep the door open to talks with COSATU, so that we can move towards the strong, united federation we all aspire to create, and on which we are ready to engage the new leadership at any time or place.

COSATU members will not however be prepared to abandon the fundamental political principles on which COSATU was founded. Unity must always be principled, and never a short-term tactical expedient, based on political horse-trading.

Whatever programme the new organisation adopts, COSATU will continue to pursue this historic goal of unity, place the issue firmly on the agenda of the trade union movement and fight for the workers' voice to be united and strong.


 * Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)**
 * Congress of South African Trade Unions**
 * 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets**
 * Braamfontein, 2017**


 * P.O. Box 1019**
 * Johannesburg, 2000**
 * SOUTH AFRICA**


 * Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24**
 * Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667**
 * Cell: 0828217456**
 * E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za**

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