Unit 1: The Concept and History of Trade Unions in South Africa

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, functions, historical milestones, forms of industrial action, and negotiation outcomes related to South African trade unions.

Trade Union

An association or organisation of workers established to protect the rights and interests of workers, balance power between workers and employers, and improve working conditions and remuneration.

COSATU

The Congress of South African Trade Unions; one of the major trade union federations in South Africa.

Fedusa

The Federation of Trade Unions of South Africa; a major workers' federation in South Africa.

NACTU

The National Council of Trade Unions; a major trade union federation in South Africa.

BUSA

Business Unity South Africa; an employers' federation in South Africa.

SACCI

South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry; an employers' federation in South Africa.

Protection (Trade Union Objective)

A key trade union objective aimed at safeguarding employees against workplace exploitation.

Improvement (Trade Union Objective)

A key trade union objective focused on negotiating for better pay, benefits, and safer working conditions.

Balance (Trade Union Objective)

A key trade union objective to create a more equal power dynamic between employers and employees to eliminate vulnerability to exploitation.

Sociopolitical Role of Trade Unions

The function of trade unions beyond the workplace, acting as a voice for the working class to influence laws, lobby for social change, resist oppressive policies, and assist the government in drafting labour legislation policy.

1911 Legislation

Government action that made it a criminal offence for black workers to take part in strikes in South Africa.

1946 Strikes

Strikes undertaken by black mineworkers despite legal barriers, aimed at protesting low wages and poor living conditions.

SACTU

The South African Congress of Trade Unions, formed in 1955; it played a political role opposing discrimination, merged with the ANC, and was driven underground by the apartheid government.

1979 Legislation

Labour legislation that finally permitted black trade unions to register and organise, although legal strikes remained difficult to execute and farm and domestic workers remained unprotected.

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)

A prominent trade union established in South Africa that became a major force against the National Party government through mass mobilization, armed struggle, and international solidarity.

Industrial Action

Any form of collective action by workers that disrupts the normal operations of a business to reduce output and profitability, typically used when negotiations collapse.

Go-Slow

A form of industrial action where workers carry out their contractual duties at a considerably slower pace, causing productivity to fall without forfeiting worker pay.

Strike

A form of industrial action where workers cease work completely to force management to address concerns; treated as a last resort because workers receive no pay during the strike.

1999 General Election Shift

The transition of South African trade unions from a unified anti-apartheid resistance movement to critical stakeholders opposing certain democratic government policies, particularly privatisation and deregulation.

Win-Win Outcome

A negotiation result where an agreement acceptable to both negotiating parties is reached.

Win-Lose Outcome

A negotiation outcome where a solution is imposed that benefits one party at the expense and sacrifice of the other.

Lose-Lose Outcome

A negotiation outcome in which no agreement is reached, causing the dispute to remain unresolved.