South Africa's Trade Unions

Trade unions are basically organisations that are made up of workers who protect the interests of employees in their places of work. Trade unions make sure that workers’ needs are met, and that the workplace is a comfortable environment for them. 

The first step to starting a trade union is applying at the Registrar of Labour Relations at the Department of Employment and Labour, in order to have the trade union registered, yes a trade union does not have to be registered, but registration is beneficial for the trade union because it will be able to enjoy some additional rights, and this is according to the South African Government.

What is the difference between a trade union and an employee’s organisation?

While a trade union is an association with the mission to negotiate for the pay and working conditions of its members, an employee organisation is a group of workers who work together on organising activities for their members away from the workplace.

Who is the registrar of labour relations? 

Advocate Lehlohonolo Daniel Molefe is the registrar of labour relations. Advocate Molefe is a qualified and experienced labour law practitioner who has worked for the Department of Labour's Legal Services Unit for several years. His role as registrar is to make sure that the framework for collective bargaining is used as best it can to advance cooperative labour relations, economic efficiency, and growth. 
 

What is required to start a trade union?

• Any trade union may apply to the registrar for registration if it has adopted a suitable name;  

• it is independent (not being under the direct or indirect control of any employer or employers' organisation) 

• It is not allowed for a trade union or employers' organisation that wants to register to use a name or shortened form that is too similar to the name of another union or employers' organisation. 

• Any employers' organisation or trade union that wants to register must indicate in its constitution that it is an association that exists for purposes other than profit; 

• specify the circumstances under which a member will lose their right to receive membership benefits.

• In order for a trade union to be officially recognised, it must have at least 50 members or at least 25% of the workforce in any given business, institution, organisation, profession, or branch.  

There are 18 South African trade unions, and they are:

Congress of South African Trade Unions(Cosatu): Public sector trade 

• Consists of 2 193 965 members

• The Presidents of the union are Zingiswa Losi and Sdumo Dlamini 

• Founded on the 1st of December 1985 by the Federation of South African Trade Unions 

• Headquarters address: Cosatu House 110 Jorissen Street Johannesburg Gauteng

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa(DENOSA): Public sector 

• Consists of over 84 000 members

• The President of the union is Simon Hlungwani 

• Founded on the 5th of December 1996 by Nomusa Philda Nzimande

• Headquarters address: 605 Stanza Bopape Street, Pretoria, 0001

National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union(NEHAWU): Public sector 

• Consists of over  1.9 000 000 members

• The President of the union is Mike Shingange

• Founded on the 28th of June 1987 by workers from the Education, Health, Government and Social Welfare sectors

• Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa(NUMSA): Motor, auto, engineering, tyre, and rubber sector

• Consists of 364 144 members

• The President of the union is Andrew Nditshe Chirwa

• Founded in 1980 as one of the largest affiliates of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) 

• Headquarters address: 153 Lilian Ngoyi Street Cnr Gerard Sekoto Street Newtown Johannesburg 2001 

National Union of Mineworkers(NUM): Mining sector

• Consists of over 160 000 members

• The President of the union is Dan Baipile

• Founded on the 4th of December 1982 by Cyril Ramaphosa, James Motlatsi and Elijah Barayi

• Headquarters address: 7 Rissik Street Corner Frederick Street Johannesburg 2000 

Public Servants Association of South Africa(PSA): Public sector

• Consists of over 235 000 members

• The President of the union is Justice Shiburi

• Founded on the 7th of July 1920 

• Headquarters address: 563 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

South African Democratic Teachers' Union(SADTU): Education sector

• Consists of 265 000 members

• The President of the union is Magope Maphila

• Founded on the 6th of October 1990 by Magope Maphila

• Headquarters address: SADTU Village Portion 74, Cnr Dann Road & Loam Street, Glen Marais Ext 144, Kempton Park 1619, Johannesburg

South African Municipal Workers Union(SAMWU): Municipal and water sector

• Consists of over 260 000 members

• The President of the union is Nelson Mokgotho

• Founded on 24th of October 1987 by Petrus Mashishi

• Headquarters address: 84 Fredderick St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001

Health and other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA): Public and private sector

• Consists of over 70 000 members

• The President of the union is Masale Godfrey Selematsela

• Founded in 1989, but registered with the Department of Labour on 3rd June 1994. 

• Headquarters address: Building C, 242 Jean Avenue, Die Hoewes, Centurion, Pretoria, 0157 

National Teachers Union (NATU): Education sector

• The President of the union is Sibusiso Malinga

• Founded in 1918 by Reverend Makhanya

• Headquarters address: 47-57 Biyela Street, Empangeni, South Africa

National Professional Teachers’ Association of South Africa (NAPTOSA): Education sector

• Consists of over 55 000 members

• The President of the union is Anthea Cereseto

• Founded on the 1st November 1991, registered with the Department of Labour on 1st November 2006

• Headquarters address: 270 Prince's Park Avenue, Pretoria

National Public Service Workers Union (NPSWU): Public sector

• The President of the union is Pat Mphela

• Founded in 1962 initially as the Natal Provincial Association by health workers in the public sector.

• Headquarters address: 22 Davenport Avenue, Durban, 4001, South Africa

Public and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (PAWUSA): Public sector

• Consists of over 10 000 members

• President is Berline Roseberry

• Founded on 23rd November 1967, affiliated with Cosatu.

• Headquarters address: Nelcity16 Paul Kruger St, Mbombela Nelspruit

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU): Public sectorConsists of over 140 000 members

• The President of the union is Zizamele Cebekhulu

• Founded on the 5th of November 1989 by Gregory Rockman

• Headquarters address: 1 Marie Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2000

Professional Educators Union (PEU): Education sector

• Consisted of over 17 000 members in 2011

• The President of the union is Mkhuseli Dubula

• Founded in 1919 and officially Launched in 1998. Founded by Sefako Mapogo Makgatho

• Headquarters address: Crossway Office Park, Block 1, 240 Lenchen Avenue, Centurion, 0157

South African State and Allied Workers Union (SASAWU): Public sector

• Consists of 144 000 members

• The President of the union is Zwelihle Ngonyama

• Founded on 14th of July 2000 

• Headquarters: Braamfontein, Johannesburg

South African Medical Association (SAMA): Public and private sector

• Consists of 17 500 members

• President (Acting) is Vusumuzi Nhlapho

• Founded on the 21st of May 1998, affiliated with the National Medical Alliance

• Headquarters address: Block F Castle Walk Corporate Park, Nossob Street, Erasmuskloof Ext3, Pretoria 0181

Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie (SAOU): Education sector

• Consists of 36 000 members 

• The President of the union is Chris Klopper

• Founded in 1905 to represent Afrikaans-speaking teachers

• Headquarters: 278 Serene Street, 0081 Pretoria, South Africa

Trade unions are quite effective because they are capable of negotiating agreements with employers when it comes to wage increases. They also attend meetings for grievances and disciplinary actions with members and offer members financial and legal advice. The act of negotiating with the employers is known as collective bargaining. Fortunately, even if you are not a member, there is a chance that a union will negotiate on your behalf.

You can send the application to the Registrar of Labour Relations, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001.