COSATU opposes DA bill because it needs violence to get its own way
Yesterday, COSATU rubbished the DA's legislative proposal to make unions responsible for the misconduct of its members during strikes. It claimed that it already "puts measures in place to prevent strike violence" and that any legislation to hold unions accountable for such violence is therefore "out of order".
Actually, the contrary is true. COSATU has never attempted to prevent its members from wreaking havoc during strikes. Furthermore, COSATU has never disciplined unruly members who trash public property.
The reason for this is simple: violence and vandalism is used by COSATU as a bargaining chip in wage negotiations. That is why violence and vandalism is consented to (tacitly or otherwise) by the Union Federation leadership.
In 2007, for example, COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi condoned strike violence on the basis that workers "will soon be angry, they will be frustrated." He suggested that because strike violence was likely to occur, the negotiating parties should swiftly find a resolution that will be to the workers' liking. Please see the IOL article in reference to this incident by clicking here.
In August this year, a SAMWU strike caused chaos across Cape Town, with street vendors' goods destroyed and stolen, shop and car windows smashed and members of the public intimidated. COSATU Provincial Secretary in the Western Cape, Tony Ehrenreich, refused to condemn the violence and destruction - even after being publicly invited to do so by the Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille.