Now that the dust is settling over the dismissal of the general secretary of Cosatu, Zwelinzima Vavi, we have to ask difficult questions of the union federation - and of all those who claim to represent the working class. Can a labour federation, born of the liberation struggle of men and women who sacrificed their lives, be sold to the highest bidder? Will political ambition take precedence over ending the inequities many workers still face in the workplace?The decision to fire Vavi is just one episode in the sorry drama that Cosatu has become.We are told that, come May Day, a new workers' movement will occupy the stage and represent workers.The bottom line is that workers at all levels have been betrayed. Both factions in Cosatu have lost out and no amount of political spin or argument will mask their blunder.If Vavi and his supporters think they will have it easy, they are in for a shock.South Africa today is facing new problems. Unemployment is high and continues to rise. The majority of the black middle class are shying away from joining labour unions. With the country not creating jobs, unions will find it difficult to gain members.The old approach of kowtowing to political parties and factions has led to what we now see in Cosatu. The use of unions as springboards to parliament and well-upholstered sinecures in state institutions has been exposed as serving nothing but individual ambition.We hope Cosatu and those who today find themselves outside it will take note of what ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said."I think they all became reckless. Cosatu's decision was reckless. Clearly, Cosatu has taken a decision to split itself. Vavi's media briefing was equally reckless. Arrogance does not work when the situation is delicate."After the dust has settled, Sdumo Dlamini, Vavi and the rest will realise that what they were fighting for is now just an empty shell...