Chapter 4: Trade unions

Question 1

What are the 3 largest Trade unions in South Africa

Answer 1

FEDUSA
NACTU
COSATU

Question 2

What does the acronym COSATU stand for?

Answer 2

Congress of South African Trade Unions

Question 3

What does the acronym SADTU stand for?

Answer 3

South African Demoratic Teachers Union

Question 4

What does the acronym NUM stand for?

Answer 4

National Union of Mine workers

Question 4

What does the acronym FEDUSA stand for?

Answer 4

Federation of Unions of South Africa

Question 5

What does the acronym NACTU stand for?

Answer 5

National Council of Trade Unions

Question 6

What does the acronym SATAWU stand for?

Answer 6

South African Transport and Allied Workers Union

Question 6

Why are Trade Unions important within our economic context in South Africa?

Answer 6

Trade Unions play an important part in an important role by being responsible for ensuring that businesses invest sufficient capital in the development of Human capital (labour force) so that they have necessary resources to make a productive contribution to the economy of the country .

Question 7

Which 4 essential services may not strike

Answer 7

THE South African Police Service (SAPS)
DOCTORS,NURSES and medical personnel of state hospitals
Members of Parliment (MPs)
The Fire department

Question 8

Explain the concept of Freedom of Association in terms of trade unions

Answer 8

Workers have the right to join,be part of ,organise and support a Trade Union without fear of negative action by an employer

Question 9

What does the term collective bargaining mean ?

Answer 9

When workers who are members of a Trade Union ,negociate as a group ,with their emplyer about pay ,leave ,and working conditions

Question 10

If you become an entrepreneur and start your own businesses ,will you allow your employees to belong to a union ?

Answer 10

YES- L would allow my employees to join a Trade Union .We live a constitiunal democracy ,people must be allowed to exercise their rights . I believe it would be more advantages for both employer and worker to honest and open about labour issues

Question 11

When was SADCTU formed ?

Answer 11

In 1955

Question 12

Synonyms of a strike

Answer 12

Downing tools and work stoppage

Question 12

When was COSATU formed ?

Answer 12

In 1985

Question 12

When were the first democratic elections held in South Africa ?

Answer 12

IN 1994 ,where many trade Union leaders where elected to Parliment

Question 13

What is a strike

Answer 13

It is the refusal to work by two or more employees as a result of common work related issues.

Question 14

What is the difference between a protected strike and an unprotected strike ?

Answer 14

Protected strike : A strike is regarded as protected when the correct procedures are followed The strike is also regarded as legal
Unprotected strike is the opposite of a protect strike non of the correct procedures are followed and it is not considered legal

Question 14

WHY DO EMPLOYEES JOIN A UNION?
give reason 1

Answer 14

REASON 1, JOB SECURITY: employees need a Trade Union to protect their rights from employers who might want to dismiss workers as when it suits them

Question 15

WHY DO EMPLOYEES JOIN A UNION?
give reason 2

Answer 15

REASON 2: Certain industries exploit workers by expecting them to work in unsafe environments ,Trade Unions protect workers from abusive employers

Question 16

WHY DO EMPLOYEES JOIN A UNION?
give reason 3

Answer 16

REASON 3: It is often difficult for one or a few workers to bring about changes in their work environment ,Trade Unions offer workers a strong voice and means to engage with employers.

Question 17

WHY DO EMPLOYEES JOIN A UNION?
give reason 4

Answer 17

REASON 4: When a company restructures its workforce and retrenches workers,Trade Unions help workers to negotiate fairer retrenchment packages.