General Workers' Union of South Africa

Last updated

The General Workers' Union of South Africa (GWUSA) was a general union in South Africa.

The union's origins lay in the split of the Port Elizabeth-based Motor Assemblers' and Component Workers' Union from the United Union of Automobile, Rubber and Allied Workers of South Africa. The new union attracted support from some workers in other industries, and so in 1981 established GWUSA to organise them. [1]

While initially successful, the union's membership fell back to 2,905 by 1985. That year, it affiliated to the new Congress of South African Trade Unions. [1] In 1987, it was dissolved, members joining various industrial unions, such as the South African Municipal Workers' Union and the Construction and Allied Workers' Union. [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

Congress of South African Trade Unions South African trade union federation

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is a trade union federation in South Africa. It was founded in 1985 and is the largest of the country's three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions.

Jeremy Baskin is a specialist in sustainable business practice. He is a director of the University of Cambridge's Programme for Industry, running a global programme on Business & Poverty and a range of other programmes in Australia. Baskin is also a South African labour market analyst.

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa Trade union in South Africa

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is the biggest single trade union in South Africa with more than 338,000 members, and prior to its expulsion on 8 November 2014, the largest affiliate of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the country's largest trade union federation.

South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union Trade union in South Africa

The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) is a trade union representing retail, distribution and hospitality workers in South Africa.

Food and Allied Workers Union Trade union in South Africa

The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) is a trade union representing workers in the food processing industry in South Africa.

South African Transport and Allied Workers Union Trade union in South Africa

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) is a trade union in South Africa.

National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union Trade union in South Africa

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) is a trade union in South Africa. With a membership of 235,000 it is the largest public sector union in the country. It organizes State, Health, Education and Welfare workers.

Confederation of South African Workers Unions Trade union in South Africa

The Confederation of South African Workers' Unions (CONSAWU) is a national trade union centre in South Africa.

Trade unions in South Africa has 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.

Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions


The Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) was a national trade union center in Swaziland. It was founded in 1983 and dissolved into the Trade Union Congress of Eswatini (TUCOSWA) in 2012.

Transport and General Workers Union (South Africa) Trade union in 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.

Sweet, Food and Allied Workers Union Trade union in South Africa

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

The Construction and Allied Workers' Union (CAWU) was a trade union representing building workers in South Africa.

The Black Allied Workers' Union (BAWU) 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.

Bheki Ntshalintshali is a South African trade union leader.

Christopher Ndodebandla Dlamini was a South African trade union leader.

Dulcie Marie Hartwell was a South Africa trade union leader.

References

  1. 1 2 Baskin, Jeremy (1991). Striking back: A history of COSATU. London: Verso. pp. 28, 55. ISBN   0860913457.
  2. Musi, Mojalefa (2010). Evaluating IMATU and SAMWU policy responses to Igoli 2002. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand.
  3. "COSATU construction workers union" (PDF). South African History Online. Retrieved 14 March 2021.