The Congress of SA Trade Unions in KwaZulu-Natal will be electing its new provincial leadership at a conference in Durban on Thursday, provincial secretary Zet Luzipho said.

The federation's nine provincial structures are holding these conferences in the build up to their 10th national conference in September.

At a central executive committee meeting earlier this year, the federation flagged global economic difficulties and job creation as among their priorities.

The theme for the national congress, to be held between September 21 and 24, is: "Consolidating working class power in defence of decent work and for socialism".

The federation is part of an alliance with the African National Congress and the SA Communist Party and also participates in the mobilisation of support for the ANC in the province.

The federation's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi is expected to speak at the conference on Thursday.

Cosatu was launched in Durban in 1995 and has amassed at least 18 affiliate unions and about 1.8 million paid up members, according to its website.