Splinter transport union forms

Expelled and suspended members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) have formed a splinter organisation.

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Johannesburg - Expelled and suspended members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) have formed a splinter organisation which is led by the union’s former president, June Dube.

This is the second splinter to emanate from Satawu in three years after allegations of corruption and other financial misdemeanours allegedly committed by the union’s leaders.

Satawu general secretary, Zenzo Mahlangu, dismissed the accusations at the time, saying the faction levelled lies against them in order to gain popularity ahead of the new launch of the new union.

Leaders of the new Democratic Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Detawu) said they left Satawu because they were tired of tolerating what they considered to be undemocratic practices.

“All our revolutionary efforts to save the union [Satawu] from being turned into a business trade union, into a toothless dog has failed, we concede with bleeding heavy hearts,” said the new union’s general secretary, Vusi Ntshangase who is a former leader of Satawu in Mpumalanga.

The union said it also wanted to apply for affiliation at Cosatu. In a statement released on Wednesday, its leaders placed on record that they were all active members of the ANC and SACP, meaning there would be little ideological difference between the union and Satawu.

However, whether it would be accepted into the Cosatu fold remains to be seen as the federation already has a transport union. Cosatu subscribes to the principle of "one industry, one union", although it has come under fire recently for not applying the rule consistently.

Detawu, which is understood to be supported by mainly disgruntled held its first congress on October 11 where a name, logo and leadership was chosen.

It is also expected to add to the pressure already being felt by Satawu on the shop floors where they organise, after the metalworkers union Numsa shook its foundations at SAA and Transnet.

LABOUR BUREAU