FORMER Cosatu president Willy Madisha has made strides towards forming a new independent trade union federation to contest Cosatu's dominance of South Africa's labour politics.

FORMER Cosatu president Willy Madisha has made strides towards forming a new independent trade union federation to contest Cosatu's dominance of South Africa's labour politics.

More than 150 shop stewards met in Johannesburg at the weekend and resolved to convene a national congress by December to adopt a constitution and unveil a new name and logo.

Madisha said the emergence of the new union was "necessitated by the failure of the government - and by extension - Cosatu, in addressing the material conditions of the workers of this country".

"The tripartite alliance, in its quest to woo workers to vote for the ANC, promised to eradicate poverty, create half-a-million new quality jobs while protecting the existing ones, and further promised food, security and better housing.

"This government is getting away with pre-election promises that it has not even attempted to address but is already gripped in succession battles that hamper delivery." - Zukile Majova