THETO MAHLAKOANA: Striking unions could be on their way out
SA trade unions may have dug their own graves through unfettered violence and intimidation during protracted strikes
While SA trade unions have been crying foul over the workers’ right to strike being attacked by the bosses, they may have done a better job at undermining this fundamental constitutional right on their own. Trade unions were behind SA’s historic realisation of fair labour rights, including protected strikes after years of suppression under apartheid. But they have jeopardised their gains over the years to a point of no return, others could argue. The worsening levels of violence during industrial action have weakened the powers vested in the bargaining tool that is a strike, and lost unions the high moral ground that garnered them public and stakeholder sympathy in the past. Although the problem of violent strikes has dogged the mining industry for decades — dozens of people could lose their lives during what are commonly prolonged strikes — the trend has spread to other sectors over the years, with casualties recorded during most prominent strikes. Images of bloodied faces, burnt p...
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