Divisions emerge among dock workers over union

By BENARD SANGA

Mombasa, Kenya: Divisions have emerged in the giant Dock Workers Union (DWU) over its top officials’ decision to cut links with the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) to join the Federation of Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (Pusetu-K).

Yesterday, a section of the members opposed the move to join the new union, saying the decision was not binding.

Led by the former trustee of the union James Kisaku, the members called on the Secretary General Simon Sang to convene an annual general meeting (AGM) to enable members deliberate over the matter before the planned move.

“We don’t know what Pusetu is; we are only reading about it in the media and we don’t understand how the secretary general arrived at a decision to sever links with Cotu and join it without the members’ approval,” said Kisaku who was flanked other DWU members.

Move to court

Reports indicate that some DWU members were planning to go to court to block the move if the officials failed to convene the AGM before Tuesday when the new entrant is expected to be unveiled in Mombasa.

But Sang said the move to join Pusetu was agreed on by the Union’s executive board and that the members would be informed about it in the planned AGM.

“Members will be informed about the decision in the AGM planned for next month,” he said.