For the last 20 years or so, capitalists and the middle classes have complained that unions, and the constituency they represent, have had too much power. There has been a common refrain that they are holding the “country to ransom”, and able to inflict damage on the rest of the nation. There are also fears that attempts to restructure state-owned entities and to save Eskom could be sabotaged by unions.
Cosatu has lost hundreds of thousands of members, and appeared to be divided over whether or not to support Zuma. Its then President S’dumo Dlamini supported him, often in the teeth of anger from Cosatu members. However, there is an important fork in the road looming which could see the power of unions tested in a big way.
The key dynamic is what happens at Eskom. It is well known that it is literally living hand-to-mouth at the moment, and could run out of money any day. In 2018, unions were able to win a wage increase despite Eskom’s board offering a “zero-percent increase”. To achieve that victory, it appears that someone was happy to sabotage the production of electricity. Eskom has said in public that sabotage was responsible for load shedding during that time, although the unions have all denied it.
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Business blames unions for weak economyBusiness says labour's inability to compromise on salaries at Eskom and unbundling has weighed on the economy True. A fragmented labour union environment is dangerous for any economy. They compete with each other instead of working in the interest of workers. I think that’s correct but ultimately the buck stops with government. Starting to feel the pinch too?
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »