Not that the ANC does not value the alliance. As the business press warns, "a badly disenchanted COSATU is seen as not Workers Forums In Search of Leadersh Strong words rang out from the Regional Workers' Forums organised by a COSATU commission established in September 1996. Among the issues raised were the state of COSATU's locals (branches), the way the federation operates, relations between affiliates and federation, the tripartite Alliance, relations between COSATU and government, and the need for a plan to achieve socialism.
The key problem raised was the union movement's lack of vision: "the movement had lost its way and this has resulted in a lack of interest" some participants said. "Members are confused and there is lack of direction in the workers struggle - they don't know whom to fight against. • COSATU, it was said, had failed to provide a broad political vision and a program of action for its membership. The promotion of shop stewards into management positions has weakened the union. There was also a lack of organisational discipline - e.g. lack of attendance at meetings of various structures, members ignoring calls for action around campaigns, the gap between leadership and membership widening, and a lack of communication between national leadership and membership.
Many participants said that COSATU should put more resources into building its locals, employ local organisers and strengthen campaign structures which are not working. "If there are no campaigns the structures of the organisation begins to die" was a common complaint. "COSATU should reintroduce the
South Africa * good for labour stability or business confidence". Most
1996 strikes, they note, have been "relaxed affairs, expeditiously resolved". The most troublesome strikes were where the problem was absence of strong unionisation".
"The ANC government without COSA-
TU could not govern effectively. Privatisation and labour market flexibility would be met with far higher levels of resistance"
wrote Business Day. "The key to labour stability is in full engagement with unionists
- so they can learn about fiscal and monetary restraints". living wage campaign and the campaign for a 40-hour week" was another. "There is a need to democratise the workplace without compromising the independence of workers and their organisations."
Some said COSATU was failing in its goal of promoting working class interests: and asked "what has happened to COSATU's vision of socialism?" COSATU had to be independent, whether within the Alliance or outside. There was mixed opinions on whether the Alliance should continue. There was criticism of the way it had functioned but the dominant view was that it should continue and be strengthened "to ensure an ANC win in the 1999 elections" . Strong views were expressed on the need for COSATU to intervene strategically in the political, social and economic issues of the day. The Reconstruction and Development Programme was still identified as COSATU's brainchild and the union confederation should steer its membership towards a worker friendly economy.
Many participants argued that a some vehicle to achieve socialism needs to be found, and the socialist vision rekindled "Socialism should not be a dream, but should be linked to the concrete reality and the lives of the workers". COSATU should take the lead to bring together socialist organisations to determine a vision of how socialism could be attained. COSATU should encourage a revival of the discussion and debates on socialism. * Source: The Shop Steward (SA)
May 1997 #288 25
* South Africa
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has used its considerable influence at union leadership level tends to curb working class radicalism. But no amount of arguing that the Alliance provides the best vehicle to tae ee benne reves toe bes vente to influence the ANC and government in a programmatic direction' will make the tensions subside completely.
In fact, as the ANC government increasingly speaks for capital, tension will get worse. This will producing new conflicts within the base structures of all the Alliance partners: the ANC, COSATU and even the SACP (where the left opposition is slowly finding its voice.
The business press, fast to read the ambiguities, has advised the government that COSTU's alternative economic proposals should not be seen "as a wedge" between the ANC and implementation of the GEAR program, but as "a warning to be taken seriously". Unions Debate the Alliance
At the 1996 Conference of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA), three regions recommended an immediate break with the Alliance and building a working class party in the medium term. In 1993 the union had said that the Alliance should end as soon as the ANC took power.
But now a majority of delegates accepted the argument that continued participation in the Alliance was essential in order to ensure political support for NUMA's economic platform. Finally, a compromise resolution entrusted union leaders with deciding, on an ongoing basis, whether the Alliance was still worthwhile for NUMSA members.
Staying in the Alliance was seen to offer labour its best chance of influencing government, particularly over economic policy. NIMSA President Godonowana described NUMSA President Godongwana described GEAR as a "right-wing document which has all the elements of neo-liberalism" and said government had turned its back on the RDP in a strategic retreat.
Conference rejected GEAR but agreed to negotiate with the government on key aspects, including industrial restructuring and building a social welfare base.
NUMSA resolved that the state should play an active and interventionist role in the economy. "We cannot rely on private sector investment, international market forces and the reduction in government spending to create the kind of growth that will create jobs".
On political policy, the union resolved that "We are faced with a nominally democratic state where economic power is still largely in the hands of capital....
"This is a compromise born out of the complex forces involved in the transition to democracy and not necessarily the ideal outcome for the working class or the disadvantaged".
Delegates voted in favour of talks between COSATU, and the smaller Fedsal and NACTU union federations, with a view to establishing a loose confederation of trade unions. * 26 International Viewpoint
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