Black Allied Workers' Union

Last updated

The Black Allied Workers' Union (BAWU) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.

The federation was established on 27 August 1972, on the initiative of the South African Students' Organisation. It worked closely with the Black People's Convention, and was part of the Black Consciousness Movement. It argued for an independent trade union movement of and led by black workers. As such, it refused to work with the Trade Union Council of South Africa, which was led by white workers and had at times expelled unions of black workers, and while some members had links with the South African Congress of Trade Unions, BAWU's leadership disliked its non-racial approach. [1] [2] [3]

Membership of BAWU's affiliated unions grew from 2,000 in 1974 to 6,000 in 1976, but then struggled as most of its leaders were banned in 1977. In 1978, many members in Durban and East London split to form the South African Allied Workers' Union. In 1980, the branches in Empangeni and Ladysmith split away to form the National Federation of Workers, followed by the Transvaal region, which became the General and Allied Workers' Union. [2] [3]

Despite the splits, BAWU claimed 51,000 members in 1981, organised in fifteen affiliates: [2]

The federation moved into a loose alliance with the Inkatha Freedom Party, and in 1986 it was replaced by the United Workers' Union of South Africa. [4]

Related Research Articles

World Federation of Trade Unions International organization

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is an international federation of trade unions. WFTU was established in 1945 to replace the International Federation of Trade Unions.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is the primary trade union federation in Zimbabwe. The Secretary General of ZCTU is Japhet Moyo and the president is Peter Mutasa. The former General Secretary was Morgan Tsvangirai. Jeffrey Mutandare is a former President of the ZCTU.

Trade unions in South Africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions being predominantly for white workers. Through the turbulent years of 1948–1991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and economic resistance, and eventually were one of the driving forces in realising the transition to an inclusive democratic government.

Federation of South African Trade Unions

The Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) was a trade union federation in South Africa.

Workers and Socialist Party Political party in South Africa

The Workers and Socialist Party (WASP) is a Marxist and Trotskyist political party in South Africa affiliated to International Socialist Alternative.

The South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.

The Food and Canning Workers' Union (FCWU) was a trade union representing food processing workers in South Africa.

National Automobile and Allied Workers Union

The National Automobile and Allied Workers' Union (NAAWU) was a trade union representing workers in the motor industry in South Africa.

Transport and General Workers Union (South Africa)

The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) was a trade union representing transport workers, and at times workers in other sectors, in South Africa.

The Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA) was national trade union federation in South Africa.

The Amalgamated Engineering Union of South Africa (AEU) was a trade union representing white manufacturing workers in South Africa.

The South African Allied Workers' Union (SAAWU) was a general union in South Africa.

Paper, Wood and Allied Workers Union

The Paper, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (PWAWU) was a trade union representing workers in various related industries in South Africa.

Sweet, Food and Allied Workers Union

The Sweet, Food and Allied Workers' Union (SFAWU) was a trade union representing food processing workers in South Africa.

The General and Allied Workers' Union (GAWU) was a general union in South Africa.

The Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.

The Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (HARWU) was a trade union representing hospitality workers in South Africa.

The National Federation of Workers (NFW) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.

The Municipal Workers' Union of South Africa (MWUSA) was a trade union representing local government workers in South Africa.

The Urban Training Project (UTP) was an initiative to encourage black workers in South Africa to form new trade unions.

References

  1. ↑ "Black workers". Black Review. 1973.
  2. 1 2 3 Miller, Shirley (1982). Trade Unions in South Africa 1970-1980: a directory and statistics. Cape Town: Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit. ISBN   0799204692.
  3. 1 2 The road to democracy in South Africa (PDF). South African Democracy Education Trust. 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Baskin, Jeremy (1991). Striking back: A history of COSATU. London: Verso. pp. 19, 72. ISBN   0860913457.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.