Cosatu's Dlamini draws a line in the sand

Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini drew a line in the sand on Monday, saying the trade union federation accepted the ANC's political intervention but that the decision to expel Numsa stood.

"We have agreed to a political process to deal with issues in the federation," he told a National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) central executive committee meeting in Boksburg, on the East Rand.

"[But] we [are] entering this political discussion based on an understanding that there is a central executive committee decision that Numsa is expelled from the federation."

He said the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) would not change its policies to accommodate its former affiliate.

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) was expelled from Cosatu last month for breaching its constitution.

At a special national congress in December, Numsa resolved to not support the African National Congress in the general elections and to broaden its scope to include workers from other sectors.

An ANC task team has stepped in again to help the embattled trade union federation deal with internal friction.

This includes dealing with the issue of disciplinary procedures against general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the expulsion of Numsa.

"We [are] entering these discussions clear that Numsa was wrong to continue expanding its scope... and poaching members of other unions of Cosatu.

"We [are] entering this political process clear that we will defend Cosatu policies," Dlamini said.

He said Cosatu wanted to find a solution which would unite it again, but that it would not beg.

Dlamini defended himself against claims that he refused to hold a special national congress.

The call was made by Numsa and seven other affiliates supporting the union. They wanted to replace Dlamini with another president.

The group has lodged papers with the High Court in Pretoria in an attempt to force Cosatu to hold the congress.

Numsa is also able to appeal its expulsion only at a national congress.

Cosatu's national congress is meant to be held in September next year.

"We are being taken to court based on a lie that we refused to convene a special national congress," Dlamini told Nehawu.

Last month, he tabled a report on the holding of a special national congress. He said Cosatu was planning to hold it in July.

"I would have rather expected Numsa to use the money they have to convene another special national congress to reverse the wrong decisions they have taken."