The strike, and any industrial action for that matter, is supposed to be for the benefit of the workers.

Therefore the fact that another trade union is willing to strike for the same cause as your trade union should be seen as a welcome increase in force for your "cause". Yet what we find is that the trade unions are fighting each other.

My conclusion is that they are not acting in the interests of their members but are instead using the strike for political reasons.

Cosatu has already shown what it thinks about outside help after the DA offered to march alongside them during a recent protest action.

What could it possibly hope to gain from such a lone-wolf mentality? It is more than likely some publicity stunt or political posturing within the tripartite alliance.

[It is] showing the other alliance members its strength of numbers and support, as well as the fanaticism of its members. It can definitely be seen as some ploy to gain more influence in the upcoming leadership conference in Mangaung.

These political ploys are starting to shed light on the true motivations of Cosatu. It is no longer (or never was?) interested in the grievances of the so-called "proletariat" but merely in attaining more power and influence in the alliance.