Thereafter, a detailed evaluation of the impact of trade unions, legislation, and institutions on labour market outcomes in south africa is provided, and it is found that despite a long history. Formation of cosatu congress of south african trade unions 21 feb 1985. To understand why industrial relations is such a heated, divisive issue in south africa, its useful to look at the historical relationship between the man on the street, trade unions and big business. Strategies like the one million climate jobs campaign in south africa cock. It has about 21 functioning affiliated unions and an estimated membership of 1. On 16 august 2012, south africa saw the most gruesome killing of workers. Manilal gandhi 1892 1956, son of mahatma gandhi, addresses a gathering of 6,000 transvaal indians in south africa, 20th july 1939. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and keep on a very public role in the south african economy. Nov 08, 2012 so the battle, from all sides, is about the type of union organisation that should exist and what role the unions should play. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. Trade unions in many african countries played a muscular and seminal role in the late 1980s and early 1990s in mobilizing the mass protests and strikes that led to the overthrow of old authoritarian regimes and ushered in democratic transitions. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu south. Maree, j 1993 trade unions and corporatism in south africa, in transformation 21. Franco barchiesi department of african american and.
Congress of trade unions to publish this trade union guide for south african workers, written by mr. Protest against detentions in front of emmanuel cathedral, durban 1975. South africa is an uppermiddleincome economy one of only eight such countries in africa. South africa is a popular tourist destination, with around 860,000 arrivals per month march 2008 of which around 210,000 is from outside the african continent. This book could not have come at any other right time than now when trade unions are struggling to remain relevant to their members and society at large. Legislation and employment relations in south africa. As a regional manufacturing hub, it is the most industrialized and diversified economy on the continent. In fact, cosatu congress of south african trade unions which was founded in 1985 today, with 1,7 million members not only the largest of the three federations in south africa, but undoubtedly also.
Trade unions and the need for transformation terry bell writes. The history of trade unions is a history of struggles for greater social justice. Key issuessuch as internal union and parliamentary democracy, black empowerment, and the. Bennie 2012 suggests that south african industrial and mining unions need to. Labour unions have played an integral role as a voice for social transformation in south africa. It is ideal for senior undergraduate and postgraduate students. Pdf legislation and employment relations in south africa. Trade unions are found to have had an increasingly positive effect on members wages, although it appears that. It sets the tone of the book by giving a historical and. In south africa, trade unions play an integral role in. In particular, it established the congress of noneuropean trade unions cnetu which claimed a membership of 158,000 workers in 119 affiliated trade unions by 1945.
For the purposes of this article, secondary sources, including books, chapters. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu are instructive in this regard. Trade unions are found to have had an increasingly positive effect on members wages, although it appears that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the. Since 1996, at the end of over twelve years of international sanctions, south africas gross domestic product almost. In 2011 43% of south africans indicated that they trusted trade unions, falling to 29% in 2012, with 40% reporting that they distrusted trade unions and 31% remaining neutral. The history of the black labour movement in south africa passes through four distinct phases, starting with the establishment of the industrial and commercial workers union of africa icu in 1919 jones, 1985a. Apr 04, 2018 1934 the union of south africa parliament enacts the status of the union act, which declares the country to be a sovereign independent state. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. Fedusa federation of trade unions of south africa fes friedrich albert stiftung. The close links between liberation and labour movements in parts of southern africa are still visible today particularly in those countries that attained their independence in recent years, like namibia and south africa. In literature, the power shift towards capital as a consequence of neoliberal restructuring since the 1980ies is mentioned as one of the most central reasons for shrinking union power.
Labour movements in africa 2010 national research foundation c2 rating 2010 south africa netherlands research programme for alternatives in development 2008. The finance union, formerly the south african society of bank officials. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu was launched on 1 december 1985, at the height of the struggle against apartheid. The social crisis of labour and the crisis of labour politics in south. National union of metalworkers of south africa numsa was formed, through the merger of 5 different unions. A southern african perspective shows how the capacity of labour law to. African national congress, south african historical journal 28, may 1993, pp. The economy of south africa is the second largest in africa, after nigeria. Thus began what is considered by many to be the most tumultuous period of south african history. South africa is often cited as a perfect example for the importance of trade unions in political transformation processes. Indeed, by 1987 the african labour movement, the form of in the congress of south african trade unions cosatu, was the single most powerful organised formation in the antiapartheid struggle in south africa3. The history of trade unions and its impact on todays. Figures seemed to prove them right ebbinghaus and visser 1999.
Union density rates were steadily decreasing in nearly all european countries visser 2015. Trade unions play a significant role within the south african economy and have been active in responding to the fiscal policies of government. It will also be useful for environmental organisations, trade unions, business, and politicians. Dec 03, 2015 trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. Industrial relation in south africa is a leading and comprehensive reference work for industrial relations practitioners and students. At the end of the 20 th and the beginning of the 21 st century labour scholars constantly pointed out the decline of trade unions in europe which appeared to be irreversible. The first part of this paper provides a brief overview of the historical evolution of labour. The meeting will be followed by the usual media briefing to. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and continue to play a very public role in the south african economy. Trade unions role within the south african economy bartleby. Areas of expertise south african politics and history.
The south african independent trade unions and the democratization of industrial relations. Trade unions and the need for transformation terry bell. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions being predominantly for white workers. Workers, the state, and contested social citizenship in postapartheid south africa state university of new york press and university of kwazulunatal press, 2011. This article deliberates the current state of trade unionism in south africa. In south africa, this is particularly interesting, given its political and economic history, and relatively recent democratization.
An empirical study was conducted with a purposive, voluntary nonprobability. In 2012 the mining sector experienced unprecedented unrest. Raman press, johannesburg, selected articles on reserve maree, j. Carefully analyzing the changes that characterize workers political orientations, this study considers the results of a survey of the political attitudes of members of the congress of south african trade unions cosatu undertaken prior to south africa s third democratic general election in 2004.
Many trade unions currently operating in south africa can trace their roots back to the establishment of advice bureaus for workers in. Apartheid in south africa history, important facts, and. In south africa the agricultural strike in the western cape in 2012 was remarkable as it was the only major strike in years not called by a trade union. Along with business, the other barrow pushers range from the south african communist party sacp to various trade union and political leaders as well as groups professing different socialist orientations. This chapter focuses on the role of trade unions in south africas economy. It is a practical guide to south african industrial relations and introduces theoretical concepts and historical facts to enhance daytoday practice. After its launch in 1985, cosatu became an important ally to the udf, linking unions from all over south africa through the core principle of fair working conditions in a democrati. Trade unions have created positive effect on members wages, even though it seems that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the composition of union membership. A study may be conducted on the political involvement of each trade union or federation of trade unions in south.
It replaced the flag that had been used since 1928, and was chosen to represent multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the countrys new, postapartheid democratic society. South africa is one of the unionised countries in the world and the involvement of trade unions in resolving disputes including grievances and disciplinary matters is crucial. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. Costu was established in 1985 with 33 trade unions forming together. Employee participation in decision making in the mining. The congress of south african trade unions is a central trade union federation in south africa. May 24, 2017 while the specific reasons for this gradual decline of trade unions in europe may vary from country to country, labour scholars put forward some general explanations. Cosatu has played an influential role in south africa since its conception in december 1985, and is aimed at improving their members working conditions and ensuring participation in the struggle for. The communist party of south africa cpsa played an important role in building the trade union movement in the 1940s. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions. Codesa 1992 apartheid referendum saint james church massacre. Unions losing publics trust news that connects south. The book is the winner of the 2012 clr james award of the working class studies association for best published book for academic or general audiences in workingclass studies.
They are protesting the asiatics transvaal land and trading bill. A contrast between pre and post 1994 south africa october 8, 2012 by intelliconn in featured analysis, labour relations. As a federation, it brought together many of the unions formed after the wave of strikes at the beginning of 1973 which marked a. As a federation, it brought together many of the unions formed after the wave of strikes at the beginning of 1973 which marked a renewal of trade union activity after a decadelong lull. It can be argued today that trade unions are more necessary than ever. Africa, we can say that part of our history points to the importance played by organisations of workers in the fall of apartheid. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come. The objective of the study was to reflect on the viewpoints of south african trade union leaders on factors influencing the future of trade unions as organisations. In south africa, trade unions for many years not only fought for workers rights within the workplace but also beyond the workplace. Registered trade unions in south africa for 31 may 2017 information provided by the department of labour.
During apartheid, their objectives were distinctly political. The south african trade union movement represents a source of inspiration to organized labour worldwide, but has faced many challenges over the years. Yet much of the labour movement internationally is in a state of flux or stagnation and. Over the years, trade unions have been involved in politics and other societal activities. Trade unions, however, stood out among the other institutions, showing a far more significant fall in confidence.
They are many trade unions or federations of trade unions. Apartheid in south africa history, important facts, and summary. Saha south african history archive the demand for trade. Although trade unions have had a presence in the country since the 1880s, they were initially only for white workers. Mending the breach between labour and nature interface journal. Through the turbulent years of 19481991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and. Carefully analyzing the changes that characterize workers political orientations, this study considers the results of a survey of the political attitudes of members of the congress of south african trade unions cosatu undertaken prior to south africas third democratic general election in 2004. African renaissance xenophobia marikana massacre 2012 western. Trade unions and the workers they represented were key players in the udf.
South african labour legislation recognises the important role that unions play in. Following a historical overview of the south african trade union movement before. Union members did no longer represent the average workers, as. Southern africa trade union coordination council satucc. Anc supporters pray in front of the johannesburg courthouse on dec. The history of the black labour movement in south africa passes through four distinct phases, starting with the establishment of the industrial and commercial workers union of africa. Sabinet factors that have an impact on the future of. It was since 1948 that the national party imposed policies of racial segregation against the predominant nonwhite population of south africa. The challenges facing the south african labour movement. Trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. The flag of republic of south africa was adopted on 27 april 1994. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu, after its.
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