40 Questions
What motivated the change of title in the book?
The new Labour Relations Act
What was the main focus of the fourth edition of the book?
The new Labour Relations Act
Who led the task team that compiled the Labour Relations Act?
Halton Cheadle
When was the Labour Relations Act approved by Parliament?
September 1995
What superseded IMSSA's role?
The CCMA
What was included in the sixth edition of the book?
Cases heard by arbitrators of the CCMA
What led to the growing interest in employee participation?
Globalisation and the need for greater workplace stability
What was included in the seventh edition of the book?
A new chapter on employee participation
What was one of the main goals of promoting union and employer negotiations?
To promote an acceptance of the role of unions and employers in negotiation
How did the government portray unions during this time?
As part of the 'total communist onslaught' against South Africa
What was established in 1979 to develop jurisprudence?
The Industrial Court
What happened to the number of strikes during this period?
They escalated
What was the effect of the 1988 amendments to the Labour Relations Act?
They placed great strain on the collective bargaining system
What was the result of the increasing number of unfair labour practice determinations?
The book needed to be rewritten
What was the purpose of the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa (IMSSA)?
To resolve conflicts and avoid resorting to overt power challenges
What was the outcome of the massive campaign against the Labour Relations Act?
The outcome is not mentioned in the content
What did Hyman state about the relationship between technical sophistication and vulnerability to hostile action?
The more technically sophisticated the work process or the more strategic the functions of the labour force, the more vulnerable are employers to hostile action.
What is the central feature of industrial relations according to Hyman?
An increasing power struggle
What did Alan Fox reject?
The polarity of both Marxist theory and Dunlop's systems theory
What is the focus of Alan Fox's work?
The micro-level of the industrial organisation
What is the characteristic of labour relations disputes in South Africa?
They are fiercely contested and may escalate to a war zone-like situation
What has been established in South Africa despite intense labour relations disputes?
Enduring relationships that have led to constructive and productive outcomes
What is the term 'Labour relations' synonymous with?
Industrial Relations
What is the primary focus of labour relations?
Collective relations between trade unions and employers
Who first used the term 'Industrial Relations' to define the processes of interaction between employees, employers, and the state?
Academics
Who are the most directly involved parties in labour relations?
Employees, employers, and the government
What is the role of the state in labour relations?
Both as a regulator and an employer
What is the outcome of the dynamic and diverse relationship between employees, employers, and the state?
An outcome shaped by power and strategies
What has intensified the role of international labour organisations and regional bodies in labour relations?
Globalisation
What is the significance of labour relations at the workplace?
It is concerned with collective relationships
Who else plays a more influential role in shaping labour relations processes and outcomes?
Customers and competitors
What is the definition of labour relations?
The dynamic and diverse relationship between employees, employers, and the state
What characterizes state corporatism in labour relations?
Conflict between employer and employee is considered undesirable and contrary to state and employer interest
What is a common approach used by the state to control trade unions in developing countries?
Co-opting union leaders into government positions
Why do developing countries often seek to minimize labour costs?
To increase foreign direct investment
What is a characteristic of union movements in developing countries?
They are weak and relatively small
What is a way in which the state controls trade unions in developing countries?
By controlling them through a variety of means
What is a consequence of state corporatism in labour relations?
Reduced labour costs
What is a common feature of labour relations in African countries?
State corporatism
Why are trade unions often given government positions after independence?
To ensure their loyalty
Study Notes
Labour Relations in South Africa
- Labour relations involve the dynamic and diverse relationship between employees, employers, and the state.
- The relationship arises from their ongoing interaction at the workplace and the use of various strategies and tactics, especially power, to shape outcomes to their own or mutual benefit.
The Role of Unions and Employers
- Unions and employers began to structure their relationships through recognition and procedural agreements.
- The management of industrial relations became normal procedure at most organisations.
- Unions and employers gained proficiency in the skills of bargaining, and many problems were resolved through day-to-day negotiation.
The Industrial Court and Labour Relations Act
- The Industrial Court was established in 1979 and grew to have significant effect through the development of jurisprudence.
- The Labour Relations Act of 1981 was amended in 1988, placing great strain on the collective bargaining system and foiling relationships in many instances.
- The new Labour Relations Act, which extended rights to workers in the public sector, agriculture, and the domestic field, was promulgated in November 1996.
Labour Relations and Globalisation
- Trade unions and employer organisations are linked to international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation and are involved in the development of regional and international agreements and standards.
- The various levels at which labour relations processes occur add further dynamism to the subject.
Theories of Labour Relations
- Hyman (1984) stated that the more technically sophisticated the work process or the more strategic the functions of the labour force, the more vulnerable are employers to hostile action by employees.
- Alan Fox (1971) rejected the polarity of both Marxist theory with its conflict base and Dunlop's systems theory with its consensus connotations.
- Fox focused on the micro-level of the industrial organisation and stated that its structure and dynamics were altogether more complex and subtle than could be accounted for by either the consensus-based systems theory or the conflict-based Marxist model.
State Corporatism
- State corporatism is a common form of labour relations system found in many underdeveloped countries.
- It involves an authoritarian or paternalistic response by the state to labour mobilisation, with the consequence that trade unions are either repressed or co-opted by the government.
- State corporatism is characterised by the following:
- Conflict between employer and employee is considered undesirable and contrary to state and employer interest.
- Trade union leaders are given government positions to ensure their loyalty.
- Unions that supported the nationalist struggle for independence are drawn under the state umbrella.
- Union movements are generally weak and relatively small, since industrial development in these countries is limited.
- Trade unions are controlled by a variety of means.
This quiz covers the role of unions and employers in negotiation during a time of political tensions in South Africa, and the challenges they faced in promoting peaceful conflict resolution.
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