Drew Forrest
A DIRE warning that Cosatu faces “serious danger” if it fails to return to organisational basics is contained in the latest edition of a magazine pitched at Cosatu shop stewards.
The Shopsteward warns that the gap between leadership and union grassroots has widened considerably and that shop stewards are “tired of feeling like transmission belts for decisions taken elsewhere”. The breach had been deepened by the absence of mass campaigns and the proliferation of national negotiating forums weighing complex policy issues.
The perception is confirmed by recent strikes — notably at Pick ‘n Pay and by truckers — where union leaders appeared out of kilter with the rank and file.
The need to reinvigorate enfeebled union structures will be a central theme of this year’s Cosatu congress, the first since democratic elections. Delegates will grapple with re-orientating a movement historically preoccupied with opposition politics and now operating under a government dominated by its ANC partner. “Our role has been marked by political interventions, sometimes at the expense of organisational unputs,” said Cosatu general secretary Sam Shilowa this week. “The time has come to refocus on key issues confronting our constituency.”
Other “new era” issues confronting congress delegates are the implementation of the Reconstuction and Development Programme — which militant unions have been accused of undermining — and labour’s role in its tripartite alliance with the ANC and communist party.
Affiliates appear unanimous that the alliance must continue, but Cosatu’s relationship with the ruling party stands to be redefined.
Also at issue is how Cosatu is to achieve its goal of operational self-sufficiency in the aftermath of elections, with traditional foreign donors scaling down their financial support. Sources say both campaigns and educational programmes are suffering.