Annex to OLCC (1977) 2
THE BLACK TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. Four main groups of Black trade unions may be distinguished.
Parallel Unions
2. These work in close co-operation with registered unions in the same industry. The state of their dependence on the registered union is the controversial issue. Some Black unionists reject this form of organisation in principle; others welcome the practical assistance but fear permanent subjection.
3. The parallel unions are:
African Food and Canning Workers' Union (1947) African Leather Workers' Benefit Fund (1950) African Tobacco Workers' Union (1950s) African Trunk and Box Workers' Union (1950s) Tobacco Workers' Union of African Women (1950s) National Union of Clothing Workers (1962) African Garment Workers' Benefit Fund (1973) African Transport Workers' Union (1973) Textile Workers' Union (1973)
Signed-up Faid-up membership
80
100
11
South African Bank Employees' Union (1974) Commercial Catering and Allied Workers' Union
of SA (1976)
membership
3,100 1,800
300
1,900 1,800 190
80
65
23,000
870
750 500 320
600
600
530
440
23,000 3,000 500
Five in their own
These represent altogether 29,645 paid-up workers. right are affiliated to the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TÚCSA) and, with one exception, all the parent unions belong to TUCSA. Six unions are run by the (White) secretaries of the registered trade union, while five (representing 3,000 members) do not have their own separate autonomous officials. All the parallel unions have offices in the same buildings as the registered unions. Numerically the parallel unions comprise 60% of Black trade union membership and the National Union of Clothing Workers with its 23,000 members and its long association with a registered union is often regarded as proof of effective parallel trade union viability. Although it has no independent bargaining status, the NUCW is party to an agreement with the Transvaal Clothing Manufacturing Association
/The Trade Union
Based on an article "The Role of Registered Unions in the Black Trade Union Movement" - SA Labour Bulletin Vol 3 No 4 Jan/Feb 1977
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