Trade Unions
Summary:
● - Trade unions act as advocates for workers, similar to how a student council represents students'
interests.
● - A trade union is an organized association of workers formed to protect their rights and interests,
negotiating with employers on their behalf.
● - Trade unions are controlled, run, and funded by their members, aiming to secure better
conditions in hiring, firing, wages, and working conditions.
● - In South Africa, trade unions cater to general workers, tradesmen, blue-collar workers, and
white-collar workers.
● - Labor legislation and the Constitution protect trade unions' rights.
● - Challenges include upholding the Constitution's cultural and traditional rights, especially in
workplaces with diverse cultural backgrounds.
Self-Test Questions:
L1. What is the fundamental role of a trade union in the workplace?
2. Explain the primary purpose of a trade union and how it is organized.
3. What types of workers do trade unions in South Africa represent, and why is this important?
4. How are trade unions protected by law in South Africa, and what challenges do they face?
5. What is the role of labor legislation and the Constitution in securing trade union rights?
Answers:
1. The fundamental role of a trade union is to represent and protect the rights and interests of workers by
negotiating with employers on their behalf.
2. A trade union is an organized association of workers formed to safeguard and advance the rights and
interests of workers. It is controlled, run, and financed by its members and negotiates with employers for
better working conditions, wages, and other benefits.
3. Trade unions in South Africa represent a variety of worker types, including general workers,
tradesmen, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. This is important because it ensures that the
rights and interests of a diverse range of workers are advocated for and protected.
4. Trade unions are protected by labor legislation, including the Labor Relations Act and the Constitution
of South Africa. A challenge faced by trade unions is upholding the Constitution, especially in workplaces
with workers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
5. Labor legislation, such as the Labor Relations Act, and the Constitution of South Africa protect trade
unions' rights. Labor legislation ensures that workers and their unions have specific rights, including the
,right to form, join, and participate in trade unions. The Constitution grants all South Africans the right to
practice their cultures and traditions, which can be a challenge in workplaces with diverse cultural groups.
Trade Unions - Historical Development
Summary:
● - Trade unions played a crucial role in the historical development of South Africa.
● - During apartheid, black South Africans had their freedom to work and live where they wanted
taken away, becoming guest workers in their own country due to the system of black homelands.
● - Black workers were poorly paid and overworked, leading them to demand the end of apartheid
and better working conditions.
● - Early trade unions like SACOL were for white workers only, fighting to reserve jobs for white
workers.
● - Trade unions for black people began to be founded from 1917, such as the Industrial and
Commercial Workers' Union.
● - Key milestones include the formation of non-racial trade unions, legalization of black trade
unions, and the founding of organizations like COSATU.
● - Trade unions demanded political change and workers' rights, leading to significant reforms.
● - In the 1980s, Cosatu organized mass strikes and stay-aways to demand political change.
● - After the 1994 elections, new labor laws were passed to protect workers, and the government set
minimum wages for different industries.
Self-Test Questions:
1. What were some challenges faced by black workers during apartheid in South Africa?
2. How did early trade unions like SACOL impact the labor landscape in South Africa?
3. What were some key milestones in the historical development of trade unions in South Africa?
4. How did trade unions contribute to political change and workers' rights in South Africa?
5. Explain the changes in labor laws and labor relations in South Africa after the 1994 elections.
Answers:
1. Black workers during apartheid faced challenges such as loss of freedom to work and live where they
wanted, becoming guest workers in their own country. They were poorly paid and overworked, leading to
demands for better working conditions and the end of apartheid.
2. Early trade unions like SACOL were primarily for white workers and aimed to reserve jobs for them,
contributing to labor segregation.
,3. Key milestones in the historical development of trade unions include the formation of non-racial trade
unions, legalization of black trade unions in 1979, and the founding of organizations like COSATU. These
milestones played a significant role in the struggle for workers' rights and political change.
4. Trade unions in South Africa played a crucial role in changing apartheid laws and advocating for
workers' rights. They demanded political change, better working conditions, and workers' rights, which
led to significant reforms.
5. After the 1994 elections, the new government passed new labor laws to protect workers, and minimum
wages were set for various industries. Employers realized the importance of working with employees and
making joint decisions, improving productivity in the workplace. Disputes between workers and
employers could now be taken to the CCMA, leading to fewer illegal strikes and economic savings.
Roles and Responsibilities of Trade Unions in South
Africa
Summary:
● - Trade unions play a vital role in the South African economy and have responsibilities towards
their members.
● - The roles of trade unions include advocating for workers' rights and better working conditions.
● - They can organize various forms of industrial action to influence labor relations.
● - This includes strikes, stopping overtime work, protests, and picketing.
● - It is unethical for businesses to prevent employees from joining a union.
● - Unprotected strikes occur when workers stop working despite agreements or laws against
striking.
● - Trade unions also focus on the well-being of their members and participate in shaping national
policies.
● - They educate workers on their rights, address issues like HIV/AIDS, and help manage finances.
● - Trade unions can pressure the government through industrial action in response to rising prices
of essential goods.
● - They engage in collective bargaining to negotiate workers' rights with employers, improve
wages, benefits, and working conditions.
● - Trade unions also work to enact laws that benefit their members.
● - They offer professional training, legal advice, and representation to their members.
● - In disputes with employers, they represent workers' interests.
● - Trade unions collaborate with employers to provide employees with a greater say in
decision-making processes.
Self-Test Questions:
, 1. What is the primary role of trade unions in South Africa's economy?
2. Explain the concept of an unprotected strike and why it occurs.
3. What are the various forms of industrial action that trade unions can organize, and how do they impact
labor relations?
4. What is the significance of collective bargaining in the context of trade unions, and how does it benefit
workers?
5. What are the responsibilities of trade unions in South Africa, particularly regarding their members and
their actions?
Answers:
1. The primary role of trade unions in South Africa's economy is to advocate for workers' rights, including
better working conditions and wages. They also engage in shaping national policies, address members'
well-being, and educate workers on various issues.
2. An unprotected strike is when workers stop working even if it is against agreements or laws. This may
occur due to specific groups of workers not being allowed to strike, such as essential service workers, or
as a result of disagreements with employers.
3. Trade unions can organize various forms of industrial action, including strikes, stopping overtime work,
protests, and picketing. These actions influence labor relations by putting pressure on employers to
address workers' concerns and negotiate for better terms.
4. Collective bargaining is a crucial aspect of trade unions where they negotiate workers' rights with
employers, seeking improved wages, benefits, and working conditions. It benefits workers by ensuring
that their interests are represented and protected in employment agreements.
5. Trade unions have responsibilities that include negotiating with employers to enhance their members'
working conditions, attracting new members without coercion, making decisions based on secret votes,
ensuring lawful and peaceful industrial actions, presenting reasonable demands to employers, settling
disputes, and promoting peaceful workplaces.
Effect of Trade Unions on Businesses
Summary:
● - Trade unions have a significant impact on businesses and labor relations in South Africa.
● - Workers and their unions have specific rights protected by the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and
the Constitution of South Africa.
● - These rights include the ability to form, join, and participate in a trade union, settling disputes
with employers through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA),
and engaging in strikes.
● - The LRA aligns South African labor legislation with international labor laws from the
International Labor Organization (ILO).
