Financial difficulties facing a business owned by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have exposed tensions in the country’s largest union. They pit general secretary Irvin Jim against those in the union who question the role of his ally, Numsa Investment Company boss K.
Over many decades, the growth of the South African trade union movement has seen a gallant struggle and an amazing evolution.
The 1973 Durban strikes brought into sharp focus the titanic battle to secure worker rights, a minimum floor of conditions of employment and recognition for any trade union to represent their members and to bargain to improve wages, benefits and other conditions of employment.
Trade Union density
Research has shown that workers employed in the South African economy and in the public service have a union density of 23%, meaning that about 77% of workers employed do not belong to a union and thus employers can determine the conditions of employment and wages as they see fit.
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