The NUNW Challenge
THE national congress of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) with the theme: ‘Back to Basics’ will take place next month in Soweto, Katutura, when delegates from affiliated unions will debate and decide on the issues affecting the lives of thousands of members of the union and the Namibian workers in general.
The NUNW does not have direct members but consists of affiliated industrial unions in public service, agriculture, construction, mining, retail, hotel, entertainment and domestic workers.
The congress resolutions should contain the dreams, visions and concrete proposals from the workers, however most of the unions have not convened national meetings, to draft resolutions to the congress. The power of the union is built from the bottom up, from the branch to national level, regionally to globally, however power is gained through solidarity and organising at all levels starting from the workplace.
There is a need to see trade unions focusing merely on shop floors. One of the key organisational problems of NUNW affiliated unions is facing is the loss of membership which has an effect on finances and expansion in size. This makes it increasingly difficult to sustain democracy and effectiveness. A failure to deal with issues around accountability and worker control, governance and financial mismanagement has the potential to destabilise any organisation whether it be corporate or trade unions! It is interesting to note that in the US union members have taken their unions to court over issues of mismanagement and also the failure of unions to represent their members in line with the union constitution. The unions should be firm on the principles of worker control, shop stewards leadership and participatory democracy! In the absence of any communication or accountability to members, they will believe the reports in the commercial media, so here is a challenge to the congress delegates to rebuild the union structures and give more power to the rank-and-file, shop stewards and branches!
The NUNW’s founding principle is of putting worker leadership and worker control at the forefront of its manner of operation. Apart from the strong shop stewards participation from below, this meant a certain balance of power between the president, who is always a worker (not a manager) and secretary-general who runs the federation on full-time basis.
Whatever spin one gives to the congress, the run-up is dominated by the spat between NUNW’s Acting president and the secretary-general on the election of the national office bearers (NOBs). The key plot in this drama revolves around the a leadership tussle between Napwu general secretary and the NUNW secretary-general on the missing funds of the GIPF and the creation of Kuleni Fund Administrators. This is taking the form a of challenge to Kaaronda’s position as the secretary-general of the federation with the nominations of Alfred Angula, the general secretary of the Farm Workers Union, to whom I will give a brotherly advice to decline the nomination and not be used as a pawn. I will give him my reason why he should decline the nomination in private!
Dealing with issues around corruption, accountability and worker control constitutes a fight for the soul of the union movement. Corruption must not only be seen as abuse of resources and funds for individual gain but as a fundamental attack on our values, as a trade union movement. The democratic character of trade unions depend on voluntary commitment of its members, leaders and employed officials. My view is that trade unions should not allow themselves to be derailed from their noble trade unions aims and objectives!
Cuana Angula
Via e-mail