×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

'Fat cats must cut their own salaries'

Cosatu is on a collision course with its alliance partners, with its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi saying it is "frankly scandalous" for economists to call on the unions to soften their salary demands.

Cosatu is on a collision course with its alliance partners, with its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi saying it is "frankly scandalous" for economists to call on the unions to soften their salary demands.

The ANC and its youth wing have already called on Cosatu to revise its demands while ministers in the finance cluster are scheduled to discuss a pending strike with Vavi on Monday.

"No trade union movement worth its salt would just fold arms at a time when its members and workers in general are paying the price through losing their jobs and livelihoods for a crisis they did not create.

"A crisis in fact caused by iniquities in the global economic systems and corporate greed in many parts of the world," Vavi said.

"We are rejecting with contempt the flurry this week from some of the conservatives who have now called on workers to soften their wage demands.

"To them we say, direct your calls to the fat cats who are living beyond the means of economy and not to the working poor," Vavi said.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.