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The essence of the discussion is to outline the role of trade unions from its traditional role
as compared to its role now in contemporary times most notably in post-Apartheid South
Africa. One aims to look at how trade unions have coped with the changing nature of work
as the traditional role of the worker has evolved over time, as there is an influx of more
casualized labour. The impact of globalization on trade unions also has to be examined and
how it has affected their traditional role .The question this piece tries to answer henceforth
is whether Trade unions have forgotten the interests of the workers and have these interests
been undertaken by social movements.
To start the debate one would have to first understand the role of trade unions. Trade
unions are essentially organizations that are formed by workers in the workplace to
advance their collective interests (Webster et al 2003). The basis of trade unions is to
regulate the inequality of power relations in the work place amongst employers and
employees. The sociological role of trade unions according to Webster is to regulate
workplace relations in a manner that is beneficial to its members. Webster goes on to say
that regulating workplace struggles does not take the defensive dimension only but it also
takes a radical one (Webster et al 2003). A radical change is of importance here as it seeks
to change the balance of power in favour of the workers. The radical change would also
highlight that a further role of Trade Unions is in politics or political movements. In South
Africa trade unions have played a key role in the democratization process of the country as
this affords them a mass following and a political clout (G Wood 2002). It is generally
recognized that Cosatu adopted a social movement role by combining workplace
organization with the methods and wider aims of a social movement (G Wood 2002).
Closely linked to the role of the of trade unions one has to understand the ideology which
was present in Cosatu as this would help answer the question whether they still hold this
position today.Cosatu explicitly understood the existence of classes and the need for strong
independent organisations for the working class (Baskin; 1991; 95).Cosatu saw multiclass
alliances, under working class leadership as the requirement for advancing to socialism.
Jay Naidoo explained the political policy in a speech when he said that:
We are not fighting for a freedom which sees the bulk of our workers continuing to suffer
