Vavi's new trade union federation to tackle white monopoly capital, head on

The new federation is set to lodge a section 77 notice, to signal plans to change the economy.

JOHANNESBURG – The nation's newest trade union federation will today submit a section 77 notice at National Economic Development and Labour.

Leader Zwelinzima Vavi says this will signal their intentions in the coming year to disrupt white monopoly capital.

The new umbrella body consists of 50 unions, including some break away factions of Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

They held a briefing at National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa)’s offices in the Johannesburg CBD yesterday.

Vavi says the federation will launch in March next year, but has already begun its plan of action.

It's planning strikes and pickets at the JSE as well as demonstrations against the exploitation of workers.

Vavi says their aim is to change the economic status quo.

“We’re submitting a section 77 notice and that signals to the country that there’s going to be a battle in the coming year.”

He says a militant approach will be taken to raise awareness of the plight of workers.

“We’ll be chasing those guys, making one demand. We can’t continue to have an economy that works only for the minority. We want an economy that will be working for all of us.”

Vavi maintains the federation will remain apolitical but will give its views of the political arena.

(Edited by Leeto M Khoza)