Johannesburg -
SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande says the launch of new federation by former Cosatu unions will never materialise.
The SACP leader was addressing hundreds of workers at Cosatu’s May Day rally in Pretoria on Sunday.
He said there has been numerous talks of a launch date for the federation, but its continuously pushed back.
“Cosatu we stand by you on this May Day, there is much that we could say, as much as there are still challenges we congratulate Cosatu for protecting the federation through difficult times,” said Nzimande.
“There are those that said they would start a new federation but we can’t hear a clear date, it gets pushed back, pushed back,” he said, followed by loud applause from the crowd.
However, National Union of Metalworkers of SA general secretary Irvin Jim said yesterday at a workers’ summit that the organisation should launch by 2017.
Nzimande praised and committed support for the federation for surviving the tumultuous squabbles which led to the expulsion of former general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Numsa.
Nzimande said he was concerned about the country’s high unemployment rate and inequality.
He called for alliance unity during this year's election season, but that it should extend beyond August 3.
Labour Bureau