blindpig
01-09-2014, 11:45 AM
Forget ANC, SACP- Numsa
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) called on Cosatu to break away from its alliance with the ANC and the SACP, and says it plans to withhold the R800 000 a month affiliation fee to Cosatu until a special congress is convened.
“As part of the fight, Numsa should adopt the tactic of withholding our subscriptions to Cosatu as an ultimatum for the convening of the special national congress,” Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim told the media yesterday following a four-day special national congress in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
“Only a special national congress of Cosatu can help us move out of the current crisis in the federation.
“Numsa calls on Cosatu to break from the alliance. The time has arrived for looking for an alternative.”
This can be interpreted as a sign that the alliance between the ANC Cosatu and SACP is falling apart.
Jim said Numsa will lead the establishment of “a new United Front that will coordinate struggles in the workplace and in communities, in a way similar to United Democratic Front of the 1980s.”
He said the task of this front will be to fight for the implementation of the Freedom Charter and to be an organisational weapon against neoliberal policies such as the national development plan.
The union said it will commission a study into other socialist parties in countries such a Brazil and see how they work.
The ANC was dealt a blow when the union said it will not support the ANC in the general elections next year.
“Numsa as an organisation will neither endorse nor support the ANC or any other political party in 2014,” he said.
“Officials and workers who feel the need to campaign for the ANC or any political party will do so this in their own time and using their own resources.”
The firebrand leader said it is clear that the working class cannot any longer see the ANC or the SACP as its class allies in any meaningful sense.
“Given its track record of not delivering on its manifesto promises, there is no guarantee that, even if the ANC comes up with a progressive platform for 2014, that manifesto will be implemented,” he said.
“Instead of uniting the labour movement, the SACP has been the leader of criticising those who are in for an independent and campaigning Cosatu, labelling them as counter-revolutionary.”
He also called on President Jacob Zuma to resign with immediate effect, accusing his administration is pursuing of neo-liberal policies such as the NDP, e-tolls, labour brokers, youth wage subsidy and the track record of his administration which is steeped in corruption, patronage and nepotism.
http://citizen.co.za/102396/nmirvinw/
This is the largest union in SA. Perhaps this 'shake up' will lead to others. Reviving the Freedom Charter is a revolutionary act and any that oppose it are on the wrong side.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) called on Cosatu to break away from its alliance with the ANC and the SACP, and says it plans to withhold the R800 000 a month affiliation fee to Cosatu until a special congress is convened.
“As part of the fight, Numsa should adopt the tactic of withholding our subscriptions to Cosatu as an ultimatum for the convening of the special national congress,” Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim told the media yesterday following a four-day special national congress in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
“Only a special national congress of Cosatu can help us move out of the current crisis in the federation.
“Numsa calls on Cosatu to break from the alliance. The time has arrived for looking for an alternative.”
This can be interpreted as a sign that the alliance between the ANC Cosatu and SACP is falling apart.
Jim said Numsa will lead the establishment of “a new United Front that will coordinate struggles in the workplace and in communities, in a way similar to United Democratic Front of the 1980s.”
He said the task of this front will be to fight for the implementation of the Freedom Charter and to be an organisational weapon against neoliberal policies such as the national development plan.
The union said it will commission a study into other socialist parties in countries such a Brazil and see how they work.
The ANC was dealt a blow when the union said it will not support the ANC in the general elections next year.
“Numsa as an organisation will neither endorse nor support the ANC or any other political party in 2014,” he said.
“Officials and workers who feel the need to campaign for the ANC or any political party will do so this in their own time and using their own resources.”
The firebrand leader said it is clear that the working class cannot any longer see the ANC or the SACP as its class allies in any meaningful sense.
“Given its track record of not delivering on its manifesto promises, there is no guarantee that, even if the ANC comes up with a progressive platform for 2014, that manifesto will be implemented,” he said.
“Instead of uniting the labour movement, the SACP has been the leader of criticising those who are in for an independent and campaigning Cosatu, labelling them as counter-revolutionary.”
He also called on President Jacob Zuma to resign with immediate effect, accusing his administration is pursuing of neo-liberal policies such as the NDP, e-tolls, labour brokers, youth wage subsidy and the track record of his administration which is steeped in corruption, patronage and nepotism.
http://citizen.co.za/102396/nmirvinw/
This is the largest union in SA. Perhaps this 'shake up' will lead to others. Reviving the Freedom Charter is a revolutionary act and any that oppose it are on the wrong side.