Trade unions have become important organizations that represent employees' rights and interests during negotiations with employers over issues like wages, benefits, and working conditions. They were formed during the industrial revolution to protect workers from exploitation, and in South Africa specifically workers faced poor treatment and lack of political rights. Today, major trade unions in South Africa include COSATU, FEDUSA, and NACTU, which work together through the NEDLAC council on economic and social policy issues though they may compete for members in different sectors.

1. Topic: Trade union

2.  Trade
unions have become one of the
most important organization in all
economies. They play a role in the political
and economical development of a country.
As they engage in in disputes between
employers and employees.

3.  An
organization or a mediatory body
 Which helps to settle or solve disputes
 These are disputes between employers
and employees
 Trade unions act on the behalf of the
employee.

4.  Trade
unions began during the industrial
revolution when workers were exploited.
 In South Africa workers were treated bad
in most industries and their political rights
not considered.
 Trade unions give workers a voice and
tools to protect their working rights:
 Employers also have rights within the
collective bargaining process and may
lock-out workers

5.  They
represent the rights of employees
 They do that by participating in
negotiations with employers on the
employees behalf
 Negotiating over issues such as better:
 Wages’
 Benefits
 And working conditions

6. The National Economic development and
Labour Council (NEDLAC)
 Is made of the trade union federation
 Employer bodies
 Government
 And Civic Organization
Together they discuss and decide on social
and economic policy issues.

7.  COSATU-
Congress of South Africa trade
unions.
 FEDUSA-
Federation of unions of South
Africa.
 NACTU-
Unions
National Congress of Trade

8.  Trade
union operate in different sectors of
the economy.
 While they compete for members.
 But sometimes work together.

9. Formed in 1988
Is part of a tripartite alliance with the (ANC)
African National Congress and the (SACP)
South African Communist Party
o Largest trade union in South Africa
o Fastest growing in the world
o Objectives/goals
non-racism, worker control, paid –up
membership, Believe in the one principle of
One: Union, organization country, federation
and industry
o
o

10. FEDUSA
 Second
largest
federation South
Africa
 Is socially and
 Politically nonaligned
NACTU
 Third
largest
federation in South
Africa.
 Started in 1986
 Politically linked with
Pan African
Congress (PAC)
 Adheres to Black
Consciousness
ideals

11.  Have
the right to ask employers to deduct
membership fees from workers wages.
 To give information to be used in the
collective bargaining process.
 Have a protected
strike a go-slow

12.  Register
with the registrar of Trade union
 Only registered trade unions may take part
in industrial action.
 To write a constitution.
 Inform members about how their
membership fees are used.

13.  Workers
have the right to join a trade union
 Workers cannot be dismissed or fired from
work when on a protected strike.
 Workers do not receive pay while there are
on strike.
 The workers responsibility to inform trade
union about work place disputes.