trade unions

What steps need to be followed upon receipt of the Trade Union demands?

It is common knowledge that trade unions are recognised within the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, which provides for the right to join trade unions and for unions to bargain collectively and have the right to embark on strikes (industrial action). These Constitutionals rights are further entrenched and expanded upon in the Labour Relations Act. While [...]

2023-07-31T11:23:59+02:00July 31st, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Theme|Comments Off on What steps need to be followed upon receipt of the Trade Union demands?

Temporary Employment Services and Organisational Rights

Temporary Employment Services (TES) have become increasingly popular in South Africa due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, due to their unique nature, governing legislation such as the Labour Relations Act as well as various court judgments, also present unique challenges regarding workers' rights and employment conditions. Since TES’s pose a unique scenario, trade [...]

2023-07-24T09:49:41+02:00July 24th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Theme|Comments Off on Temporary Employment Services and Organisational Rights

Is it really a Trade Union? Simunye Workers Forum victory shifts the traditional idea of a trade union

In South Africa, one could strongly argue that the Labour Relations Act (LRA) is among the most significant pieces of legislation, given its historical context and the rights it regulates and protects. This argument was bolstered by the recent Labour Court ruling in favour of Simunye Workers Forum (SWF), which challenged the Registrar's decision [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:15+02:00July 5th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act|Comments Off on Is it really a Trade Union? Simunye Workers Forum victory shifts the traditional idea of a trade union

Rights afforded to Trade Unions when Collective Agreements are extended to Non-Parties

In previous articles on the topic of organisational rights, we have mentioned that when it comes to the establishment of organisational rights at a plant level, the approach that is normally used is to observe section 21 of the Labour Relations Act. However, when it comes to collective bargaining on an industry level, it [...]

2023-07-17T13:22:36+02:00July 3rd, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on Rights afforded to Trade Unions when Collective Agreements are extended to Non-Parties

Can two Unions act jointly to obtain Organisational Rights?

Employers and organisational rights generally present themselves like oil and water, a relationship born out of opposing views, with each party trying to obtain the best scenario to suit their relevant constituents, while never really homogenising. While these organisational rights and consequent relationships between the parties may come about born out of the inherent [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:20+02:00July 3rd, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on Can two Unions act jointly to obtain Organisational Rights?

You Cannot Defy Your Constitution! Or Can You?

A Trade Union’s Constitution is like a rule book from which the Trade Union is governed. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a “Constitution” as “A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or organisation is governed.”  It is also a well-established principle in South African Labour law that a [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:26+02:00June 16th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on You Cannot Defy Your Constitution! Or Can You?

Which types of demands are Trade Union Members entitled to Strike over?

Section 213 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) defines a strike and its purpose as a resolution to a grievance or dispute about a matter of mutual interest. There are two types of disputes: A rights dispute and an interest dispute. A rights dispute arises when a person’s entitlement to something in terms of [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:28+02:00June 16th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on Which types of demands are Trade Union Members entitled to Strike over?

How Closed-Shop Agreements Impact Representation

The point of departure when dealing with a matter of representation is first to identify and interpret the condition that is attached to it. Closed-Shop Agreements, as contained in Section 25 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), refer to a Collective Agreement between a majority Trade Union and an Employer, which dictates that Employees [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:30+02:00June 16th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on How Closed-Shop Agreements Impact Representation

The Employee’s Right to Unionise and Trade Union Representation of Non-Members

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees the right to fair labour practices. That right, in turn, includes the right of every worker to join a Trade Union; and every Trade Union has the right to determine its own administration. Section 1 of the Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995 (LRA), specifies: [...]

2023-07-11T14:39:31+02:00June 16th, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on The Employee’s Right to Unionise and Trade Union Representation of Non-Members

Why does CEO Request Mandates from their Members for Collective Bargaining Purposes?

Collective Bargaining is a crucial aspect of Labour Law in South Africa. It involves negotiations between Employers and Employees or their respective representative bodies, with the aim of reaching an agreement on the terms and conditions of employment.  Employers are often represented in these negotiations by Employers Organisations, such as CEO. One question that [...]

2023-06-02T08:50:27+02:00June 2nd, 2023|General, Labour Relations Act, Strikes, Theme|Comments Off on Why does CEO Request Mandates from their Members for Collective Bargaining Purposes?
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