Numsa at crossroads

The coming weeks will determine whether the restless National Union of Metalworkers of SA will remain an affiliate of Cosatu.

Yesterday, the union accepted the resignation of its president, Cedric Gina, setting off a process that will redefine its character within the ANC-led alliance.

Its general secretary, Irvin Jim, brought the issue of a breakaway to the fore, declaring: "If you can marry, you can also divorce.

"There is no need for speculation. There is no decision that Numsa is moving away from Cosatu. It's one of the options that's being debated," Jim said

Discussions about secession have begun in earnest and will top the agenda at Numsa's special congress, which runs from December 13 to 16.

A document has been prepared for the special congress in which members are asked whether the union should break away from Cosatu and establish itself as a labour party, a civic movement or a worker federation that could go head-to-head with the ANC.

ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize yesterday told the Cape Town Press Club that the party was "not comfortable" with Numsa's threat to break away from Cosatu.

"The issue around Cosatu is a matter of concern. We need to understand that, to keep it stable, it's an issue of management of various dynamics, of personalities and even of ideological positions," said Mkhize.

"The ANC is not comfortable because this is part of the alliance ... it's always a matter of concern that, where there are issues that are not resolved, we should be able to get involved and discuss and try to get people over the difficulties.

"It will not help the country, it will not help the unions, it will not help the ANC, it will not help the alliance if we've got a big fight at that level because it will have an impact on the degree of coalition," he said.

Mkhize said the ANC would continue "playing a supporting role" in brokering peace between Cosatu and Numsa.

Jim and his deputy, Karl Kloete, said Gina had painted himself into a corner at a meeting of the union's central committee on November 13, during which he apologised for making statements that were contrary to the stance of the union.

Gina reportedly accused suspended Cosatu g eneral secretary Zwelinzima Vavi of wanting to use Numsa as his private army in his battle against the federation's president, S dumo Dlamini.

A Numsa breakaway would hurt Cosatu in the pocket. Numsa, Cosatu's biggest affiliate, with 320000 members, contributes significantly to the federation's coffers as well as to the ANC's election war chest.

The ANC, the SA Communist Party and Cosatu have already launched efforts to prevent a NUM breakaway.

Founding leaders of Cosatu have held several meetings with its current leadership in an attempt to steer it away from secession.

The SACP has stated that Numsa leaders would not be allowed to leave Cosatu with members in tow.

Though the ANC is expected to win next year's general election the chaos in Cosatu is certain to cost it votes.