Clarity on the purpose of the coming Special National Congress

3 July 2015

‘It is very important to clarify ’what kind of unity’ we are seeking in our class struggle..... Everyone knows that the simple call for “unity” indicates little. One must not allow oneself to be mislead by the cry for ’unity’. Those who have this word most often on their lips are the ones who sow the most dissension... the biggest sectarians and the biggest brawlers and rogues at times shout the loudest for unity’-Engels

The Congress of the South African Trade Unions wishes to clarify misinformation spread on the 1st July 2015 by former members of the Federation at a Press Briefing in Gauteng.

COSATU is currently finalizing all related processes for the convening of the Special National Congress scheduled to resume on the 13th until the 14th July 2015 at Midrand.

Firstly, we are putting on record that it is only four [4] Trade Unions, who did not attend the previous Central Executive Committee meetings and also the recent Alliance Summit concluded at St Georges Conference Centre, at Irene.

COSATU reiterates its call that all affiliated Trade Unions must participate fully in all activities of the Federation.

The recent Provincial Congresses held in Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West clearly displayed that workers are happier in COSATU than elsewhere.

Secondly, the decision to convene the Special National Congress was taken in 2014 and the notion of High Court ‘victory’ is a false start.

The High Court Judges argued that the Courts should not be ‘used’ as ‘fire-extinguishers’ on issues that the Federation’s Constitution outlines how to tackle them. This was with reference to the purpose of the Special National Congress visa vi the ordinary National Congress purpose on issues related to appeals.

COSATU dispel falsehood spread that the Special National Congress purpose is to hear appeals of recent decisions taken by the Central Executive Committee.

The coming ordinary National Congress in November 2015 in terms of the Constitution may receive reports on the business of the Federation and also hear appeals, if are tabled.

Thirdly, insinuations that ‘the current leadership is now trying to manipulate the Congress in a way which will accelerate such an implosion or precipitate such a split’, are false. COSATU engagement with Alliance partners has been and is about the unity and cohesion of this progressive workers’ Federation. This was confirmed by a Declaration agreed upon by all Alliance Partners at the Summit which they said ‘The alliance partners are united in defending the unity of COSATU along the principle of 'one union; one industry; one federation; one country.' An injury to one alliance partner is an injury to us all. The independence of COSATU as a strong militant and fighting force for the rights of workers is affirmed. The Summit also affirms its support of the right of COSATU to make its own decisions concerning internal discipline’.

Fourthly, COSATU rejects utterances of ‘purging of scores of leaders and officials as a result to the COSATU challenges........’. COSATU has gone in numerous occasions that disagreeing to agree is and has been part of the evolution of trade unionism in South Africa. Some leader’s names were used as names of buildings and when they disagreed such names were painted black. COSATU appreciates differences of opinion and that has never being equated to ill discipline whatsoever.

Fifthly, COSATU’s founding principles, amongst others, is workers’ control. All leadership leading in COSATU structures and all its affiliates are elected from the shop floor by workers. And insinuations that workers’ control does not obtain, are false.

Fifthly, COSATU remains an independent, militant and dynamic workers’ Federation which has earned its respected status since its inception in 1985 in Durban at the Curries Fountain Stadium. We reiterates that we have on numerous occasion made our positions clearer on government policies which are not advancing the vision of a National Democratic Revolution in the current phase. The Alliance Summit has afforded COSATU to occupy its rightful place to advance the interest of the working class in general and the aspirations of workers in particular in South Africa.

New challenges such as the growing populace of salariat and emergence of precariat have emerged which must be tackled without failure!

COSATU remains confident that internal democracy as a founding principle shall prevail and respect for principles of One Union; One Industry shall be respected by all affiliates.

The unity of the proletariat requires is class unity, revolutionary unity, unity against the common enemy; capital exploitation.

Statement issued by COSATU, July 3 2015