National Union of Metalworkers of SA boss Irvin Jim is in the US to talk to that country's labour movement about his union's plans to establish a leftist United Front.
Jim will today be a special guest of the Coalition of Black Trade Unions, founded in 1972.
The organisation describes itself as an "independent voice" of black workers and their communities.
More than 50 foreign and US unions are affiliates of the coalition.
On a previous visit to the US Jim met the congressional black caucus.
This sent the ANC into panic mode and prompted it to send its treasurer-general, Zweli Mkhize, to jet off to the US in July to do damage control.
At the time, US officials refused to meet South Africa's consul-general in Chicago, Vuyiswa Tulelo.
The officials saw Tulelo as being close to the ruling party, according to ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte.
Numsa was blamed for discrediting the ANC and for portraying President Jacob Zuma as corrupt.
Jim's return to the US will give him the opportunity to explain why Numsa has pitted itself against the ANC-led tripartite alliance, which also includes the SA Communist Party, leading to its expulsion from Cosatu.
Jim's deputy, Karl Cloete, said yesterday that the visit was a response to the "massive global interest" in the United Front.
"Numsa has strong links with class-orientated and like-minded organisations all over the world, including in the US," said Cloete.
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