Trade Unions

Question 1

What is a Trade Union?

Answer 1

Groups of workers that have organized themselves with the aim of being able to negotiate with their employers, using the process of collective bargaining.

Question 2

A Trade Union’s activities must be guaranteed by which two rights?

Answer 2

1) employees have Freedom of Association which means that employees may join a union of their choice, which means that employers can instate a contract that an employee is not allowed to join a union.
2) the right to engage in Industrial Action on condition that the correct procedures are followed.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Trade Unions play 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 the necessary resources to make a productive contribution to the economy of the country.

Question 4

Will you allow your employees to belong to a union?

Answer 4

Yes, I would allow employees to join a trade union as it is, one, against the law to prevent them from exercising their rights and two, it provides more advantages for both the employer and worker to be honest and open about labour issues.

Question 5

What are the three largest Trade Unions?

Answer 5

1) FEDUSA
2) NACTU
3) COSATU

Question 6

Define the term collective bargaining

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Define the term freedom of association

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What are the three important dates within the Trade Union chapter?

Answer 8

1) 1995: SACTU was formed
2) 1985: COSATU was formed
3) 1994: the first democratic elections were held, allowing many trade union leaders to be elected to parliament

Question 9

Which essential services are not prohibited to join/begin a strike?

Answer 9

1. South African Police Services
2. Medical personnel of state hospitals, doctors and nurses
3. Members of Parliament
4. Firefighters

Question 10

Full name of COSATU

Answer 10

Congress of South African Trade Unions

Question 11

Full name of SADTU

Answer 11

South African Democratic Teachers Union

Question 12

Full name of FEDUSA

Answer 12

Federation of Unions of South Africa

Question 13

Full name of NUM

Answer 13

National Union of Mineworkers

Question 14

Full name of NACTU

Answer 14

National Council of Trade Unions

Question 15

Full name SATAWU

Answer 15

South African Transport and Allied Workers Union

Question 16

Why do employees join a union?

Answer 16

1) Job Security
2) Protection from employer abuse
3) Strong voices and means to engage with employers
4) Negotiation of fairer retrenchment packages

Question 17

What is a strike?

Answer 17

A refusal to work by two or more employees, as a result of common work-related issues.

Question 18

What was a strike previously described as?

Answer 18

“Downing tools”
“Work stoppage”

Question 19

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

Answer 19

A strike is regarded as protected when the correct procedures are followed, it is then also regarded as a legal strike. The opposite is true for an unprotected strike, neither the correct procedures are followed, nor is it considered a legal strike.

Question 20

What is the aim of a trade union?

Answer 20

To represent the members during the collective bargaining process with the employer. Management is willing to be involved with this process, because they prefer to negotiate with a group of representatives, rather than with individual employees.

Question 21

What are the responsibilities of trade unions?

Answer 21

— protection of employee rights
— ensuring employees are treated fairly
— represent members in negotiations with employers regarding: salaries, benefits, work safety and job security, working hours
— represent members during disciplinary procedures
— provide members advice on labor relations matters

Question 22

What are the rights of trade unions?

Answer 22

— the right to consult with employees within the workplace
— membership fees must be deducting the employee’s salaries by the employer and then be paid to the trade union
— a Shop Steward to be appointed if more than 50% of the employees from a specific business belong to a trade union

Question 23

Go-slow

Answer 23

When employees work, but deliberately, work slowly, thereby affecting productivity levels.

Question 24

Picketing

Answer 24

A situation where striking employees demonstrate in a public place outside the premises of the employer