CHAPTER 7:
TRADE UNIONS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Definition of Trade Unions
Trade unions are organisations that:
o Organise employees (workers) and represent them in their relationships
with employers (“management”)
Organize referring to how employees are managed and that things
happen in a certain way
o They seek to improve the material conditions of their members through
joint action which can be achieved through collective action at the
workplace or through a wider social movement role
Participation through strikes, proposing certain policies etc.
Prominent trade union federations
COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Union)
o The Congress of South African Trade Unions is a central trade union
federation in South Africa. It has about 21 functioning affiliated unions and
an estimated membership of 1.8 million which also has the distinction of the
largest trade union confederations in South Africa
Membership dropped from 2.1 to 1.8 million in the last 4 years
o The establishing aim of COSATU were to strengthen the workforce in all
industries, to fight exploitation of women workers, to demand withdrawal of
state emergency, release of political prisoners, fight apartheid, for right to
strike and picket, to regulate national minimum wage and to living wages
o https://youtu.be/IY6QLQFVJDs
o https://youtu.be/Nv3zDFuMm_4
o https://youtu.be/vQ3Xrn4ufSk
,Tripartite Alliance
COSATU always aligned with the African National Congress (ANC). This
relationship was formalized in the forming of the Tripartite Alliance between the
ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP) & COSATU.
Alliance have over the years brought changes in membership of COSATU
(mining and manufacturing decreased and public service unions increased).
SAFTU (South African Federation of Trade Unions)
- Established in 2017
- Since then, 2nd biggest trade union federation (800 000
members), overtaking FEDUSA
- Almost half of its members from NUMSA
- Formed by previous general secretary of COSATU
FEDUSA (Federation of Unions of SA)
- Established in 1997.
- Membership of 560 000 and it represents workers in automobile
industry, aviation, education, medical services, banking,
healthcare and hotel industry.
NACTU (National Council of Trade Unions)
-
20 affiliated unions with nearly 400 000 strong membership support.
The affiliated trade unions of NACTU is functional among workers in
mining. construction, banking, insurance, hospitality, education,
government, public sector and civic administration, electrical,
textiles, agriculture, furniture, food processing, chemical, teachers,
transport, etc.
CONSAWU (Confederation of South African Worker’s Union)
- 27 unions representing 290 000 workers in the following sectors:
Public service, education, agriculture, fishing, retail, manufacturing,
metal, building and construction, mining, transport, catering, health
and welfare and security.
Role of trade unions
To fight for workers’ rights
To safeguard and defend interests of employees
To organise workers according to perceived needs & interests
To represent workers in discussions & negotiations with employers
To monitor and implement collective bargaining decisions
To undertake and support initiatives aimed at training & development of members
To support workers during disputes & other industrial action
To take appropriate measures to invest funds in ventures that will guarantee
better returns for members
, The role of trade unions in policy issues
The question of how far trade unions should go in engaging in policy issues remains
one of the contentious aspects regarding the role of trade unions in society. Different
views:
o Some – should not engage in broad political action. Should limit policy
engagement to protecting labour rights e.g. minimum work standards,
wages, occupational health and safety, etc. i.e. focus on normal workplace
issues, not politics
o In SA where the country’s largest trade union is part of the Tripartite Alliance
with the ruling party and the Communist Party, this view seems rather
unpractical.
o Others – protecting the interests of the workers requires commitment to pro-
poor policies to give the working class a voice, i.e trade unions should lead
broad policy campaigns that will affect poverty alleviation. (Maybe even play
an international role re balance of power)
Trade Unionism in South Africa
• Trade unions have been operational since the former slaves and other
labourers were allowed to enter into voluntary, contractual relations with their
employers after the abolition of slavery in 1834.
• During the 19th century when gold, diamonds and other minerals (eg. coal)
were discovered in many parts of SA, the large number of workers required in
the mines and other supportive establishments created a need for the
unionisation of workers.
• This was partly as a result of dangerous conditions under which workers were
forces to work and because of the wages they received compared to their
contribution to the creation of wealth for a few individuals.
• Historically trade unions in South Africa played a dual role of fighting for
improved working conditions whilst fighting for the liberation of the country
against the apartheid regime alongside the ANC = Social Movement
Unionism, but after 1994 abandoned social movement as they were now
recognised as social partners
• The 1996 Constitution gives full recognition to Trade Unions and their
activities. It provides workers with full right to join and for unions to bargain
collectively and call for strike action - These rights must be exercised within
the parameters of the Labour Relations Act
• https://youtu.be/dNZ8a0vbUpo
TRADE UNIONS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Definition of Trade Unions
Trade unions are organisations that:
o Organise employees (workers) and represent them in their relationships
with employers (“management”)
Organize referring to how employees are managed and that things
happen in a certain way
o They seek to improve the material conditions of their members through
joint action which can be achieved through collective action at the
workplace or through a wider social movement role
Participation through strikes, proposing certain policies etc.
Prominent trade union federations
COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Union)
o The Congress of South African Trade Unions is a central trade union
federation in South Africa. It has about 21 functioning affiliated unions and
an estimated membership of 1.8 million which also has the distinction of the
largest trade union confederations in South Africa
Membership dropped from 2.1 to 1.8 million in the last 4 years
o The establishing aim of COSATU were to strengthen the workforce in all
industries, to fight exploitation of women workers, to demand withdrawal of
state emergency, release of political prisoners, fight apartheid, for right to
strike and picket, to regulate national minimum wage and to living wages
o https://youtu.be/IY6QLQFVJDs
o https://youtu.be/Nv3zDFuMm_4
o https://youtu.be/vQ3Xrn4ufSk
,Tripartite Alliance
COSATU always aligned with the African National Congress (ANC). This
relationship was formalized in the forming of the Tripartite Alliance between the
ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP) & COSATU.
Alliance have over the years brought changes in membership of COSATU
(mining and manufacturing decreased and public service unions increased).
SAFTU (South African Federation of Trade Unions)
- Established in 2017
- Since then, 2nd biggest trade union federation (800 000
members), overtaking FEDUSA
- Almost half of its members from NUMSA
- Formed by previous general secretary of COSATU
FEDUSA (Federation of Unions of SA)
- Established in 1997.
- Membership of 560 000 and it represents workers in automobile
industry, aviation, education, medical services, banking,
healthcare and hotel industry.
NACTU (National Council of Trade Unions)
-
20 affiliated unions with nearly 400 000 strong membership support.
The affiliated trade unions of NACTU is functional among workers in
mining. construction, banking, insurance, hospitality, education,
government, public sector and civic administration, electrical,
textiles, agriculture, furniture, food processing, chemical, teachers,
transport, etc.
CONSAWU (Confederation of South African Worker’s Union)
- 27 unions representing 290 000 workers in the following sectors:
Public service, education, agriculture, fishing, retail, manufacturing,
metal, building and construction, mining, transport, catering, health
and welfare and security.
Role of trade unions
To fight for workers’ rights
To safeguard and defend interests of employees
To organise workers according to perceived needs & interests
To represent workers in discussions & negotiations with employers
To monitor and implement collective bargaining decisions
To undertake and support initiatives aimed at training & development of members
To support workers during disputes & other industrial action
To take appropriate measures to invest funds in ventures that will guarantee
better returns for members
, The role of trade unions in policy issues
The question of how far trade unions should go in engaging in policy issues remains
one of the contentious aspects regarding the role of trade unions in society. Different
views:
o Some – should not engage in broad political action. Should limit policy
engagement to protecting labour rights e.g. minimum work standards,
wages, occupational health and safety, etc. i.e. focus on normal workplace
issues, not politics
o In SA where the country’s largest trade union is part of the Tripartite Alliance
with the ruling party and the Communist Party, this view seems rather
unpractical.
o Others – protecting the interests of the workers requires commitment to pro-
poor policies to give the working class a voice, i.e trade unions should lead
broad policy campaigns that will affect poverty alleviation. (Maybe even play
an international role re balance of power)
Trade Unionism in South Africa
• Trade unions have been operational since the former slaves and other
labourers were allowed to enter into voluntary, contractual relations with their
employers after the abolition of slavery in 1834.
• During the 19th century when gold, diamonds and other minerals (eg. coal)
were discovered in many parts of SA, the large number of workers required in
the mines and other supportive establishments created a need for the
unionisation of workers.
• This was partly as a result of dangerous conditions under which workers were
forces to work and because of the wages they received compared to their
contribution to the creation of wealth for a few individuals.
• Historically trade unions in South Africa played a dual role of fighting for
improved working conditions whilst fighting for the liberation of the country
against the apartheid regime alongside the ANC = Social Movement
Unionism, but after 1994 abandoned social movement as they were now
recognised as social partners
• The 1996 Constitution gives full recognition to Trade Unions and their
activities. It provides workers with full right to join and for unions to bargain
collectively and call for strike action - These rights must be exercised within
the parameters of the Labour Relations Act
• https://youtu.be/dNZ8a0vbUpo
