Based on a nationwide survey of members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), this paper explores the extent to which the federation remains true to the culture and strategies of "organizing unionism," through the persistence of its past social movement role. It focuses on two specific issues: the federation's relationship with community and political organizations, and the degree to which it is in a position to pursue a "moral project," as well as its capacity to draw in and actively involve those in more vulnerable categories of labor.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allvin, Michael and Magnus Sverke.2000. "Do New Generations Imply the End of Solidarity: Swedish Unions in the Era of Individualization." Economic and Industrial Democracy21, no. 1: 71-95.
2.
Bailey, Kenneth D.1982. Methods of Social Research. New York : The Free Press.
3.
Bank, L. and Geoffrey Wood.1998. "The Economic Implications of the Proposed East London Industrial Development Zone." East London Development Zone Initiative. East London, South Africa.
4.
Baskin, Jeremy.1991. Striking Back: A History of COSATU. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
5.
Eisenscher, Michael.1999. "Critical Juncture: Unionism at the Crossroads ." In Which Direction for Organized Labor? edited by Bruce Nissen.Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
6.
Fletcher, Bill Jr. and Richard W. Hurd.1999. "Political Will, Local Union Transformation and the Organizing Imperative." In Which Direction for Organized Labor? edited by Bruce Nissen.Detroit: Wayne State University Press.
7.
Frege, Carola.1999. "The Challenges to Trade Unions in Europe." Work and Occupations. 26, no. 2: 279-81.
8.
Ginsburg, David., Janet Cherry, G. Klerck, Johann Maree, Roger Southall, Eddie Webster, and Geoffrey Wood.1995. Taking Democracy Seriously: Worker Expectations and Parliamentary Democracy in South Africa. Durban: Indicator Press South Africa.
9.
Heery, Edmund, Melanie Simms, Dave Simpson, Rick Delbridge, and John Salmon.2000. "Organizing Unionism Comes to the U.K." Employee Relations22, no. 1: 38-57.
10.
Hirschsohn, Philip.1998. "From Grassroots Democracy to National Mobilization: COSATU as a Model of Social Movement Unionism." Economic and Industrial Democracy19, no. 4: 633-66.
11.
Hyman, Richard.1997. "Trade Unions and Interest Representation in the Context of Globalization." Transfer3: 515-33.
12.
Joffe, Avril, Judy Maller, and Eddie Webster.1993. "South Africa's Industrialisation: The Challenge Facing Labor." Paper presented at History Workshop/SWOP Symposium, University of Witwatersrand , Johannesburg.
13.
Kelly, John E.1998. Rethinking Industrial Relations: Mobilization, Collectivism and Long Waves. London: Routledge .
14.
Leibbrandt, Murray, Haroon Bhorat and Ingrid Woolard.2001. "Household Inequality and the Labor Market in South Africa." Contemporary Economic Policy19, no. 1: 73-86.
15.
Lipman, A. and H. Harris.1997. "Socialist Hope: Dead and Gone?" South African LaborBulletin21, no. 6: 69-71.
16.
Moburg, D.1999. "The U.S. Labor Movement Faces the Twenty-First Century ." In Which Direction for Organized Labor? edited by Bruce Nissen.Detroit : Wayne State University Press.
17.
Moody, Kim.1997. Workers in a Lean World. London : Verso.
18.
Murray, Gregor and Christian Lévesque .2000. "Connected, Democratic, Pro-active: Challenges for 21st Century Trade Unions." Paper presented at the International Industrial Relations Association 12th World Congress, Tokyo, Japan.
19.
Roberts, Markley. 1999. "The Future of Labor Unions: A Review." Monthly Labor Review122, no. 10: 38-9.
20.
Southall, Roger and Geoffrey Wood.1999. "The Congress of South African Trade Unions, the ANC and the Election: Whither the Alliance?" Transformation38: 68-83.
21.
Valenzuela, J. Samuel.1992. "Labor Movements and Political Systems." In The Future of Labor Movements, edited by Marino Regini, 53-101. London: Sage.
22.
Von Holdt, Karl.1994. "What Is the Future of Labor?" In Work and Industrialization in South Africa: An Introductory Reader, edited Eddie Webster, L. Alfred, Lael Bethlehem, Avril Joffe and T. A. Selikow. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
23.
Waddington, Jeremy and Colin Whitston.1997. "Why Do People Join Trade Unions in a Period of Membership Decline?" British Journal of Industrial Relations35, no. 4: 515-46.
24.
Webster, Eddie.1987. "Introduction to Labor Section." In SA Review 4, edited by Glenn Moss and Ingrid Obery.Johannesburg : SARS/Ravan.
25.
Wood, Geoffrey.1998. Trade Union Recognition: Cornerstone of the New South African Employment Relations. Johannesburg: International Thompson. ———. 2000. "Shopfloor Democracy and the Congress of South African Trade Unions ." Unpublished working paper, Coventry Business School, Coventry University, Coventry, Engand.
26.
Wood, Geoffrey and Christine Psoulis.2001. "Globalization, Democratization and Organized Labor in Transitional Economies: The Case of the Congress of South African Trade Unions ." Work and Occupations28, no. 3: 293-314.
