chpt 3

• Labour relations (LR)


  An ever-changing system of interrelationships between state, employer, and employee
• Labour relations


  About the employment relationship and the laws, rules, regulations, structures, and procedures governing that relationship
• Labour relations


  Involves understanding people, conflict and the power and trust underpinning the tripartite relationship, as well as cooperation and compromise
• Parties in labour relations


  • State
  • Employees
  • Employers
• Systems approach to labour relations


  • LR does not take place in isolation, but occurs within a specific economic, political, legal, social, and historical context
  • LR both influences and is influenced by its environment
• Perspectives of labour relations


  • Unitarist - one big happy family
  • Pluralist - different goals and views, conflict unavoidable
  • Radical - no common interest
  • Societal corporatist - conflict is present, but agreements can be reached if cooperation
• Societal corporatism


  The state's perspective - NEDLAC, fostering cooperation and partnership
• Employers' perspective


  Business South Africa is a federation of employer associations
• Employees' perspective (Trade Unions)


  A combination of workers in an organisation, industry, trade or profession who are united for the purpose of representing their interests in the workplace
• Types of trade unions


  • Craft unions (particular skills)
  • Industrial unions (particular industry)
  • General unions (all workers from different industries)
  • Public sector unions
• Federations of trade unions


  • COSATU
  • FEDUSA
  • NACTU
• Reasons for joining a trade union


  • Economic needs
  • Job security and regulation
  • Political reasons
  • Social needs
  • Self-fulfilment
  • Protect a trade/skill
  • Representation
• Worker representatives


  Also known as trade union representatives, elected by union members, acts as a link, minimum 10 members of a representative trade union, can be full or part time
• Roles and responsibilities of worker representatives


  Paid leave to perform their functions or receive training