FRIDAY, 4.30PM
THE Congress of SA Trade Unions on Friday denied a lead report in the Mail & Guardian that the labour federation is considering establishing a new left-wing opposition party.
“It’s wrong — they have written the biggest rubbish I have seen,” said Cosatu second deputy president Connie September.
The M&G article was based on a strategy document drawn up by an eight-member Cosatu commission headed by September which examined the role of the trade union movement.
September said the M&G had not read the strategy document properly and had confused hypothetical scenarios with recommendations. She said the report was correct in reporting that her commission and Cosatu are concerned about the African National Congress’s current direction on economic policy, that the commission recommended Cosatu should develop a common agenda for transformation with its alliance partners, and that the federation should pursue an election pact with the ANC for the 1999 elections.
September said the document in the M&G’s possession is a 120-page interim version of the strategy document. The final version will be made public at a media conference next week, and will be debated at Cosatu’s annual conference from September 16 to 19.