L
LequteMan
Guest
South Africa's biggest trade union said on Friday, that it would not support the ruling ANC in elections next year.
The NUMSA is the biggest block in the COSATU labour grouping that is itself part of a formal three-way governing alliance with the ANC that also include the Communist Party (SACP).
Political watchers see this as a blow to President Jacob Zuma, whose political support with the working class is fast eroding.
The salvo from the 330,000-member National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), is also another sign that an alliance forged with the ANC in the common struggle against apartheid is falling apart.
However, NUMSA has been at odds with all three, accusing them of pursuing pro-business policies.
"NUMSA as an organisation will neither endorse nor support the ANC or any other political party in 2014," General Secretary, Irvin Jim, told a news conference at the end of a meeting of its members.
He said the union officials or workers could campaign for the ANC, but would have to do this "in their own time and using their own resources".
"It is clear that the working class cannot any longer see the ANC or the SACP as its class allies in any meaningful sense," Jim said.
The NUMSA is the biggest block in the COSATU labour grouping that is itself part of a formal three-way governing alliance with the ANC that also include the Communist Party (SACP).
Political watchers see this as a blow to President Jacob Zuma, whose political support with the working class is fast eroding.
The salvo from the 330,000-member National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), is also another sign that an alliance forged with the ANC in the common struggle against apartheid is falling apart.
However, NUMSA has been at odds with all three, accusing them of pursuing pro-business policies.
"NUMSA as an organisation will neither endorse nor support the ANC or any other political party in 2014," General Secretary, Irvin Jim, told a news conference at the end of a meeting of its members.
He said the union officials or workers could campaign for the ANC, but would have to do this "in their own time and using their own resources".
"It is clear that the working class cannot any longer see the ANC or the SACP as its class allies in any meaningful sense," Jim said.
