NUM takes exception to NUMSA 's public posture

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) noted the public posture adopted by the leadership of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) at their bargaining conference this week. The NUM takes exception at statements attributed to both NUMSA President Cedric Gina and its General Secretary Irvin Jim. NUMSA President is quoted as saying "We will unite with people who want to unite with us, not those who consider us enemies. We want unity but they (NUM) must be committed to unity".

The NUM takes exception of this nonsensical statement of insinuating that it is not committed to unity when it has formally submitted its unhappiness about the behaviour of one comrade affiliate of the federation to the federation itself with no public posture. As a union, we take exception, that another COSATU affiliate would seek cheap publicity using our name.

The NUM takes exception that what are supposed to be largely COSATU internal processes are made public by certain charlatans who at the same time continue to argue that those matters are internal whilst besmirching the good name of the NUM in public.

We take exception to the argument that "workers can't be poached, they are not rhinos" in reference to the territorial battle between ourselves and NUMSA and view these utterances as an open call to the battle lines and cheap populism.

The NUM maintains that if anyone of the affiliates is indeed interested in unity as they proclaim on mountain tops for the interest of television, they would table any proposal including the call for a special congress at the right and correct platform. The NUM has a standing congress resolution of engaging and pursuing merger talks with NUMSA and CEPPAWAWU. It is our duty to provide leadership to an extent of massaging the uncontrollable egos of some leaders no matter how long it takes.  We believe in the notion of one union, one industry!

Statement issued by Lesiba Seshoka, NUM spokesman, April 19 2013

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