EMS

Grade 9

Term 3
The Economy
Trade Unions
Weeks 2-5
 Concept of Trade Unions
• Trade Unions through its leadership, bargains with employers on behalf of
union members to negotiate labour contracts (collective bargaining) with
employers
• The most common purpose of these associations is "maintaining or
improving the conditions of their employment"
• Effective collective bargaining is an important way of regulating industrial
relations and of determining workers’ wages and benefits
• Trade unions do not have to be registered with the Department of Labour,
but registered unions have additional rights
• If unions wish to be registered, their constitutions have to meet certain
requirements, including provision in the constitution for a ballot of
members before a strike or lock-out is called; and no provision in the
constitution that discriminates on the grounds of race or sex
• A trade union wishing to register must also be free from the influence or
control of an employer or employers’ organisation
 Roles and Responsibilities of Trade Unions
• Negotiate with employers about the
matters affecting their members and
other employees at work
• Wage negotiation + defending
employees rights
• Improve working conditions
• Ensure health and safety conditions at
workplace
• Provide advice and information
• Resolve conflicts
• Provide benefits for members
• Promote equality
• Collective bargaining
 Effect of Trade Unions in
Business
• Job Regulation – Basic Conditions of Employment Act 1995 is aimed at protecting
and enhancing workers’ right for employment
• Job Security - The Labour Regulation Act-(No.66) 1995 gives authority to trade
unions represent its members against unfair dismissals, retrenchments and
unilateral actions by employers in changing the terms and conditions of
employment
• Employment Equity - Employment Equity Act (Act 55) 1998 Employment equity is
an important part of the drive towards socio economic transformation. The act
prohibits unfair discrimination in employment policy or practice on “one or more
grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family
responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability,
religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language, birth or
any other arbitrary ground.” Though the Act does not provide mechanism to
resolve dispute regarding unfairness of dismissals, the trade unions are
empowered by statute to represent affected workers through mechanisms
provided in various labour laws
• Health and Safety - Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) (Act 85) of 1993 in
general places some responsibility on employers to take reasonable care for the
safety and health of employees
• Skills Development - Trade Unions ensure the development of workers by
overseeing compliance of various legislations aimed to promote the moral,
physical and intellectual development
 Contribution of Trade Unions to
Sustainable Growth and Development
• Unions have a role to play in sustainable development - building better
economies, communities and societies
• Job creation
• Food security
• Accessibility of IT
• Promoting self-reliance in development
• Build capacity for self-sustaining development
• Accelerating socio-economic development to achieve sustainable
development and poverty eradication
• Strengthening policies, delivery mechanisms and outcomes in key social
areas and combating of HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases
• Ensuring affordable access to water, sanitation, energy, finance
(including microfinance)
• Equal access to education
• Encouraging broad-based participation in development by all
stakeholders at all levels