Unit 7.4 –
When and how did unions start?
Unions started as a result of the Industrial Revolution.
(first factories and mines, no rights / protection, mistreated, better working conditions)
Why should workers join unions?
Modern pamphlet – 1980’s
FOSATU (Federation of South African Trade Unions)
How did workers try to improve their situation?
In the early days all efforts to improve their working conditions, was considered illegal.
Their leaders were arrested and thrown in jail, and some are banned from their country.
The government workers' actions were suppressed by the police or the army.
Some damaged machines with which they worked.
Other tried to get work.
And still others worked poorly or slowly.
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When did the unions in Britain become powerful?
Initially they (the unions) struggled to organize workers.
(workers feared that they would lose their jobs, etc..)
The 1st successful unions were for skilled labours.
In 1890s, there occurred 3 major strikes by skilled worker:
1. The match girls
2. The gas workers
3. The dockworkers
Their success made people believe that they could change their situation if they would stand
together.
Membership has increased and other professions such as teaching and clerical work
including started.
Most men got to vote in the 1800's and, when the Labour Party was formed it supported the
interest of the workers and the trade unions.
One of the methods that trade unions use to get
employees to agree to their demands is to get the
workers to go on strike. Some people think that this is
good as it forces employees to listen to the workers;
others say it is bad for the economy of the country. What
do you think?
Why was there so few unions in South Africa?
The SA government did not want black and white workers united.
White workers:
• Government gave assistance to give them good jobs
• is allowed to form trade unions.
Black workers:
• not allowed to form trade unions.
• is closely monitored and their movements are controlled.
• Even though their lives were so controlled, black workers did resist the system. In
some cases, the even went on strike..
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1st union for black workers was the
Industrial Workers of Africa (IWA)
which was established in 1919..
Source C
Its purpose was to get workers to unite and to
improve the conditions of miners.
pg. 117
Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU)
Why was the ICU the most influential union?
In Cape Town, established under the dockworkers.
It soon spread throughout the country.
Farmers, factory workers, teachers, men and women joined.
By 1927 there were more than 100,000 members.
They arranged strikes, boycotts, marches and lawsuits
Some people even believed that the ICU would give them their land back.
By 1930, the organization was gone.
Due to infighting over who should lead the union, action by police and attacks by white
farmers and other employers.
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