Manual workers union likely to amend constitution

Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday December 12, 2017 17:08

 

Motshwarakgole said the union constitution maybe changed soon as the majority of the members want it to be revamped as they feel it is outdated. This change will enable the organisation to hold two separate conferences in the future that will solely deal with elections for the union leadership.

Motsharakgole was speaking yesterday in reference to events surrounding the union’s 42nd delegates conference that was held over the weekend. The union did not deliberate on other key activities, which were to be part of the conference agenda as per the norm.

The presentations of the financial statement and general secretary’s report as well as the conducting of the executive leadership elections are activities that were undertaken at the conference. The union has now said the pressure associated with running the elections influenced the change of programme. 

“The problem is that when there is an election people tend to focus more on preparing for them (elections) and do not effectively deliberate on other union activities. This is an observation I made a long time ago,” Motshwarakgole said.

He added: “Over the weekend we could not deliberate on vital union activities such as resolutions because members were busy mobilising for the elections. That is why I think it is logical to have two conferences, one focusing on elections and the other on general union activities.”

Motshwarakgole said he intends to sell the idea to have separate conferences to union members soon.

“We have a provision in the constitution to call an extra ordinary conference that can deal with issues such as policies and resolutions among others. However, I believe that if we want to constantly hold a conference for resolutions and policies we should align them with our constitution.”

He added that having a separate congress will ensure that the union gives detailed attention to each agenda item. 

Meanwhile, at the union elections, Olebile Molamu was elected chairperson while Keorapetse Maphakela will deputise him.

In other key positions Mmaophala Makgosi and Bahenyi Ntswakae were elected general secretary and assistant general secretary respectively. Manyoloi Tselaesele was voted treasurer.