The South African Iron and Steel Trades Association (SAISTA; Afrikaans : Suid Afrikaanse Yster en Staalbedryfsvereniging) was a trade union representing white metalworkers in South Africa.
The union was founded in 1936, with support from the Nasionale Raad van Trustees. It initially had only 300 members, but grew steadily, becoming particularly associated with Afrikaners. It attempted to form a trade union federation restricted to white workers, but was unable to do so, and instead in 1944 affiliated to the South African Trades and Labour Council (SAT&LC). [1] [2]
Within the SAT&LC, the union argued against representation for black workers, and in 1947 it resigned over the issue. The following year, it was a founding affiliate of the all-white Co-ordinating Council of South African Trade Unions, and then from 1957 part of the larger South African Confederation of Labour (SACOL). By 1976, it had 36,000 members, and was the largest union of white workers. [1] [2]
Around 1980, the union renamed itself as the South African Iron, Steel and Allied Industries Union. [3] In 1993, it was a founding affiliate of the Afrikaner Volksfront. [4] However, by this point it was regarded as less extreme than the other SACOL affiliates. It became independent and renamed itself as the South African Workers' Union, also opening up membership to workers of all racial backgrounds. This led those members who wished to maintain an exclusively white union to defect to the Mine Workers' Union (MWU). In 2001, it merged into the MWU, which renamed itself as "Solidarity". [5]
Solidarity is a South African trade union that negotiates on behalf of its members and attempts to protect workers' rights. Although the union is often involved in issues of political import, it does not align or formally affiliate itself with any political party. Solidarity is a trade union within the Christian tradition of unionism.
The National Union of Blastfurnacemen, Ore Miners, Coke Workers and Kindred Trades (NUB) was a trade union in England and Wales which existed between 1888 and 1985. It represented process workers in the British iron and steel industry.
The South African Trades Union Congress (TUC) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.
The South African Boilermakers', Iron and Steel Workers', Shipbuilders' and Welders' Society (SABS) was a trade union representing metalworkers and shipbuilders in South Africa.
The South African Confederation of Labour (SACOL) was a national trade union federation of white workers in South Africa.
The Metal and Electrical Workers' Union of South Africa (MEWUSA) is a trade union representing workers in engineering and related trades in South Africa.
The Artisan Staff Association (ASA) was a trade union representing higher-paid technical railway workers in South Africa.
The South African Trades and Labour Council (SAT&LC) was a national trade union federation in South Africa.
The Co-ordinating Council of South African Trade Unions (CCSATU) was a national trade union federation of white workers in South Africa.
The South African Association of Municipal Employees (SAAME) was a trade union representing local government workers in South Africa.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) was a national trade union federation of workers representing workers in South Africa.
The Federal Consultative Council of South African Railways and Harbours Staff Associations (FCC) was a national trade union federation bringing together unions representing white railway workers in South Africa.
The Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers of South Africa (AUBTWSA) is a trade union representing workers in the construction industry in South Africa.
The Textile Workers' Industrial Union (TWIU) was a trade union representing workers in the textile industry in South Africa.
The Sweet Workers' Union (SWU) was a small but long-lived union representing confectionery workers in South Africa.
The South African Reduction Workers' Association (SARWA) was a trade union representing officials involved in processing mining ores in South Africa.
The Engineering Industrial Workers' Union (EIWU) was a trade union representing engineering workers in South Africa.
The South African Equity Workers' Association (SAEWA) is a general union in South Africa.
The Hospitality Industry and Allied Workers' Union (HIAWU) is a trade union representing workers in the hospitality sector in South Africa.
Philippus Jacobus Wilhelmus Buys is a South African trade union leader.