Trade Unions and Democracy in South Africa: Union Organizational Challenges and Solidarities in a Time of Transformation (original) (raw)
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2015
Based on the findings of a nation wide survey of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) members, this article explores the state of internal democracy within the federation’s affiliates, and degree of rank and file support for its alliance with the ruling ANC. It is concluded that, pessimistic accounts of the decay of internal union democracy and the alleged unpopularity of the ANC in particular and the tripartite Alliance in general seem misplaced. However, a panglossian view of continued and consistent union success is similarly unjustified; unions face the challenges of declining employment in the formal sector, and managing complex accommodations with business and government. Yet, the manner in which unions have coped with these challenges reflects a persistent organizational vibrancy which is encouraging for the future.
Factors that have an impact on the future of trade unions in South Africa
2016
This article deliberates the current state of trade unionism in South Africa. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. 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. An empirical study was conducted with a purposive, voluntary non-probability sample (N = 10) of trade union officials in managerial positions in registered trade unions in South Africa. The data collection method was semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted through structural coding. The results indicated that a varied number of factors might influence the future of these dynamic organisations in the South African labour relations context. Secondly, a synopsis is given of academic literature that was scrutinised to determine aspects which have affected trade unionism in South Africa over the past five years. Finally, the article concludes by deliberating o...