COSATU Statement on SATAWU President's Resignation
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes with shock and disgust the SATAWU President Emphraim Mphahlele's resignation.
COSATU is surprised that Comrade Mphahlele cites reasons relating to corruption for his resignation as a National Office Bearer and as a member of SATAWU.
The federation has held several meetings with the SATAWU National Office Bearers in an attempt to iron out differences amongst the leadership. One such a meeting occurred on the 6th June 2012. This meeting has absolutely no record of Comrade Mphahlele raising the issues contained in his resignation letter and in the briefing he gave to the media.
The only corruption matter which was earlier tabled with the General Secretary of COSATU is concerning the corruption allegations against PRASA management. The federation has since forwarded the union's complaint and files regarding this to Corruption Watch.
COSATU subscribes to the principle of "one industry, one union" and believes that workers' unity is sacrosanct. Because of this principle, COSATU does not and will not support any attempt to divide the loyalties of the workers by forming splinter unions.
SATAWU organises in one of the most vulnerable sectors where the rights of workers such as cleaners and security guards are daily trampled upon by the bosses.
We therefore appeal to Comrade Mphahlele to reconsider his decision, in the interest of strengthening the might of the workers as a united force.
COSATU is by no means suggesting that the allegations that Comrade Mphahlele is making should be swept under the carpet but rather that SATAWU as a union governed by worker control and internal democracy is the best platform through which to address these issues.
Statement issued by Phindile Kunene, Shopsteward Magazine Editor, COSATU, August 14 2012
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