The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says it has resolved to support and campaign for the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the forthcoming local government elections.
This follows the union’s political council in Kempton Park in eastern Johannesburg.
NUM members discussed key political and economic issues that affect workers.
They lamented the state of the tripartite alliance which they say has over time failed to protect workers from job losses and harsh economic conditions.
“Comrades if we don’t wake up as labour, we will be diminished and this is a step towards the right direction because we cannot be treated by the African National Congress as if we are not important in the struggle. We are equally important as a labour force and the sooner we reflect on that; it shows that we are yet to exist and our independence must be and I will clarify it comrades, that NUM within Cosatu we’re autonomous. Our affiliation to Cosatu does not mean NUM cannot take a particular decision, independently without Cosatu, we can do that,” says NUM President Daniel Balepile.
VIDEO| NUM says the tripartite alliance has abandoned the working class:
Meanwhile, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) it recognises the autonomy of its unions and has called for the reconfiguration of the tripartite alliance.
“Of course they’re not the only one. You will know that there have been a number of unions that held either congresses or political councils just to reflect on real state of the national revolution, you know, in as far as it affects the working class. Cosatu at the right time will take its decisions about who to support in the upcoming elections based on the inputs that will be coming from affiliates. As I was saying to you that, this affiliate is having this posture, DENOSA is having a congress, is having this posture. Other unions are going to the congress, we are going to the central committee in September. That’s why we’re going to take that posture,” says COSATU’s First Deputy President Mike Shingange.
