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Trade Unions and Democracy in South Africa: Union Organizational Challenges and Solidarities in a Time of Transformation

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  • Sakhela Buhlungu
  • Mick Brookes
  • Geoffrey Wood

Abstract

Based on a nationwide survey, this article focuses on the perceptions of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) members on two of the central issues that have dominated debates on the South African labour movement: the advisability of COSATU's Alliance with the African National Congress (ANC) and the extent of internal union democracy. The survey revealed that the ANC‐Alliance continues to enjoy mass support, while internal democracy remains robust. At the same time, the federation faces the challenges of coping with — and contesting — neoliberal reforms, retaining and re‐energizing rank and file in the post‐apartheid era, and in reaching out to potential members in the informal sector and other areas of insecure work.

Suggested Citation

  • Sakhela Buhlungu & Mick Brookes & Geoffrey Wood, 2008. "Trade Unions and Democracy in South Africa: Union Organizational Challenges and Solidarities in a Time of Transformation," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 46(3), pages 439-468, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:46:y:2008:i:3:p:439-468
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2008.00685.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Uwe Jirjahn, 2025. "Unions and Collective Bargaining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Insights from Quantitative Studies," Research Papers in Economics 2025-01, University of Trier, Department of Economics.
    3. Nina Pološki Vokić & Alka Obadić, 2014. "The future of trade unions in Croatia – various stakeholders’ perspectives," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 20(4), pages 521-536, November.

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