Cosatu a dinosaur that must adapt if it is to survive

24 November 2015 - 02:15 By The Times Editorial

Irrespective of whether Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini and his executive survive this week's elective congress of the labour federation it will never be the same again. Dlamini's plea for unity, and his call on members to do everything in their power to ensure that Cosatu remains relevant to workers, has come a tad too late. The world in which Cosatu operates is changing and has been doing so for the past decade.Young workers entering the jobs market today have new needs and most of them operate in a space in which skills supercede union membership. The biggest threat facing Cosatu is more external than internal .Our economy is moving towards being skills-based. Many new entrants in the jobs market now have skills that enable them to negotiate terms and conditions of employment. Those who operate in the services sector often rely on labour brokers to advance their interests.That is why Cosatu today is dominated by public-sector unions.The alliance with the ANC and the SA Communist Party, about which Dlamini speaks so fondly, will again have its mettle tested when public-sector unions confront the employer - the government - and demand better pay.That is why it is important that those who take over Cosatu's reins this week look beyond internal dynamics and appreciate that the young worker has needs that are different to those of the old-time Cosatu member, who depends on his union membership to survive in the jobs market.Does Cosatu have the ability to represent skilled workers? Is it looking at the future of our economy and the role of organised labour?The war within the federation is about the slicing of a diminishing cake and rival leaders trying to wield the cake knife to advance their personal ambitions.Cosatu's cause is made worse by ANC leaders who cynically exploit the federation to prop up their political power...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.