The National Education, Health and

Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU)

Index

1
1.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Trade Unions 3

1.1.1 Understanding the Functions and Roles of Trade Unions

1.2 NEHAWU and the Sectors it Operates in 5

1.3 Historical Background of NEHAWU 6

1.4 Reasons why workers join trade unions 8

1.5 Impact of Strikes 9

1.5.1 On businesses 9

1.5.2 On the South African economy 10

1.5.3 On workers 11

1.6 Conclusion 12

1.6.1 A summary of the key insights from the research

1.7 Reference List 13

Roles and Responsibilities of Trade Unions

A trade union is a collective organization formed by a group of workers or employees

within a specific industry, occupation, or sector. The primary purpose of a trade union

2
is to represent the interests of its members by negotiating with employers and
advocating for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

Trade unions undertake several crucial responsibilities, including:

1. Negotiating Agreements with Employers on Pay and Conditions:

Engaging in discussions and negotiations with employers to secure favorable pay

rates and working conditions for their members.

2. Addressing Workplace Changes such as Large-Scale Redundancy:

Participating in discussions regarding significant workplace changes, such as

substantial workforce reductions, to ensure fair treatment and representation for
affected members.

3. Addressing Members' Concerns with Employers:

Voicing and addressing the concerns and issues raised by their members directly
with employers to seek resolution and improvements in the workplace.

4. Accompanying Members in Disciplinary and Grievance Meetings:

Supporting and accompanying members during disciplinary actions or grievance

meetings to ensure fair treatment and protection of their rights.

5. Providing Legal and Financial Advice to Members: Offering guidance, legal

assistance, and financial advice to members, aiding them in understanding their
rights and making informed decisions.

6. Facilitating Educational Opportunities and Consumer Benefits:

Enabling educational opportunities for members to enhance their skills and

knowledge. Additionally, providing certain consumer benefits such as discounted
insurance to enhance members' overall well-being.

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NEHAWU AND THE SECTORS IT OPERATES IN

The National Education, Health, and associated Workers' Union (NEHAWU) is a

well-known South African trade union with a strong presence in public sectors like

4
education and health sectors. The NEHAWU plays a critical role in advocating for the
rights and interests of public sector workers in areas critical to the nation's
development and well-being.

NEHAWU focuses on representing educational professionals, support staff, and

associated personnel in the field of education. This comprises teachers,
administrative personnel, and other education-related positions. The union works
hard to reach agreements with educational institutions and the government on
wages, working conditions, professional development, and general education sector
improvement.

The NEHAWU represents a diverse spectrum of healthcare workers in the

healthcare industry, from doctors and nurses to administrative and maintenance
staff. The union actively negotiates with healthcare facilities and related authorities
on issues such as staffing levels, working hours, medical equipment availability, and
employee safety, all of which contribute to the healthcare system's efficiency and
effectiveness.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF NEHAWU

On June 27, 1987, the NEHAWU was formed. The National Education, Health, and
Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) arose from a combination of various organisations,

5
each of which had an important part in its formation. The following is how the trade
unions were involved in the creation of the NEHAWU:

1. South African Allied Workers' Union:

One of the primary unions that combined to become NEHAWU was SAAWU. Its
participation in the acquisition was critical in bringing together workers from many
sectors and consolidating efforts to enhance working conditions and allied workers'
rights.

2. Health and Allied Workers' Union (HAWU):

The HAWU played an important role in the merger, particularly in representing

healthcare workers. By combining forces with other unions, it helped to create the
NEHAWU as a comprehensive and influential group capable of actively advocating
for the workers.

3. The General and Allied Workers' Union (GAWU) :

Played an important part in the creation, representing general workers from several
sectors. Its participation aided in the diversification of NEHAWU membership,
ensuring a greater representation of workers and a stronger collective voice.

TGWU (Transport and General Workers' Union):

Although TGWU was not directly involved in the initial combining that became
NEHAWU, its rise around the same time reflected a broader movement of workers'
rights activism in multiple areas. The development of the TGWU highlighted the
necessity for collective bargaining and most likely had an impact on the labour scene
at the time.

The NEHAWU was a key figure in South Africa's anti-apartheid campaign. It was
actively involved in anti-apartheid activities and marches, campaigning for social
justice, equality, and workers' rights. Following the end of apartheid, the NEHAWU
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continued to confront post-apartheid concerns and struggle for better working
conditions and labour rights in a democratic South Africa.

NEHAWU has expanded in size and power over the years, becoming a major force
in South Africa's labour movement. It has been active in collective bargaining,
fighting for higher salaries, better working conditions, and better service delivery in
the education, health, and allied sectors.

Reasons why workers join trade unions.

Increased Collective Bargaining Power: Employees join trade unions in order to

achieve collective strength and bargaining power. When it comes to greater wages,

7
benefits, and working conditions, employees may have limited bargaining power with
their employers. They can collectively bargain and harness their combined strength
to secure better working conditions by creating a union. Having someone on their
side during negotiations is an important component of this.

Discrimination Reduction: Trade unions are frequently involved in the battle

against workplace discrimination. Workers join unions to obtain access to the union's
campaign against discrimination based on race, gender, age, or any other protected
feature. Unions seek to guarantee that all members are treated fairly and equitably,
and often offer legal assistance when discrimination issues emerge.

Legal Assistance: When workers join trade unions, they value having the ability to
get legal assistance. Unions may offer legal help and counsel in disagreements at
work, ensuring that workers' rights are maintained and that they are treated fairly and
justly. This legal assistance provides workers with an additional layer of assurance
and safeguarding.

Professional Development: Trade unions frequently provide possibilities for

professional development and advancement. They provide materials, training
programmes, and educational opportunities to members in order to assist them in
improving their skills and expertise. Unions can also provide career coaching and
support, allowing workers to attain their professional goals.

Impact of strikes on Businesses.

Strikes, whether legal or illegal, can have serious consequences for businesses. One
of the most serious repercussions is the enormous financial loss sustained by

8
businesses as a result of disrupted operations, lost productivity, and revenue loss.
Prolonged strikes can also harm a company's reputation, potentially costing it clients
and contracts. Strikes in the workplace can cause tension and division among
employees, lowering morale and teamwork. Furthermore, firms may incur higher
operating costs, such as security expenditures, legal fees, and overtime
compensation for replacement workers. Strikes can disrupt the supply chain, causing
delays in the delivery of goods and materials, and impacting production and
consumer satisfaction.

Whether or not a strike is legally sanctioned, it is critical for employers to understand

their legal rights and to stay current on labour laws and regulations. In the event of a
lengthy strike, some businesses may decide to hire replacement workers. It is critical
to ensure that part-time or temporary employees have legally enforceable contracts
in place. Employers are not required by law to compensate striking workers for the
days they are not working. This withholding of remuneration may be considered a
reasonable ground for employee dismissal in circumstances of an illegal strike.
Compliance with legal standards is a critical consideration for both companies and
employees while navigating the complex legal system.

Impact of strikes: On the South African economy

Strikes have an immediate and long-term influence on the South African economy,
with some strikes recurring and, in extreme cases, turning into violent protests. This

9
repeated pattern poses a significant risk to the country's investment reputation on a
worldwide scale. The South African economy is especially vulnerable during
moments of industrial disturbance, with the strike season having the potential to
dramatically harm the country's appeal to overseas investors.

Strikes in South Africa have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy,
both in the short and long term. These labour disputes, which in some cases have
devolved into violent clashes, are becoming a regular phenomenon in a variety of
industries. The results of this repeated pattern are concerning, since they jeopardise
the country's status in the global investment community. Economists generally agree
that calculating the exact economic toll of strikes is difficult, but the impact is
negative.

One of the most obvious consequences is a slowing of economic progress, with

strikes damaging productivity and stability. During extended strikes, the trust of
investors decreases, potentially leading to lower foreign investment and economic
instability. Furthermore, strikes can result in job losses in the affected industries,
leading to higher unemployment rates and a negative influence on the labour force.
As government revenue declines, the nation's economic stability suffers even more.
Furthermore, pay rises caused by strikes might contribute to rising prices, reducing
consumers' ability to buy. The recurring trend of these strikes emphasises the
importance of finding effective solutions that strike a balance between resolving
worker concerns and maintaining the country's economic well-being.

Impact of strikes: On workers/ employees

Strikes in South Africa have a significant and frequently contradictory influence on

the country's workforce. On the plus side, successful strikes can result in noticeable

10
changes in working conditions, safety standards, and wages, thereby improving
employees' financial well-being. Such accomplishments empower workers, providing
them with a stronger negotiating stance and improved working conditions. However,
the disadvantages are equally great. Workers commonly experience the hardship of
not getting their usual wages during strikes, causing financial stress.

Persistent strikes may also create a sense of job insecurity, as businesses may
resort to layoffs to make up for the financial losses. Furthermore, strikes can strain
relationships between workers and management, thereby impacting productivity and
cooperation. Illegal strikes can result in serious legal consequences, such as fines
and employment dismissals, with consequences that last forever. Strikes can also
disrupt production, potentially affecting performance-based incentives and general
job satisfaction. Strikes are common in South Africa, highlighting the difficult task of
striking a careful balance between resolving workers' problems, protecting their job
security, and maintaining a peaceful work environment.

CONCLUSION

Finally, trade unions play an important role in changing the environment of labour
law, with their main emphasis on bargaining for higher salaries, better working

11
conditions, and equitable treatment of workers. The NEHAWU, a well-known union in
South Africa, works in the essential sectors of education, health, and allied workers.
Its history is strongly based on the unification of many unions, including SAAWU.
Workers join unions, like NEHAWU, for a variety of reasons, including increased
negotiating power, reduced discrimination, improved working conditions, fair salaries
and benefits, and legal and career support, including leave help. Strikes have a
tremendous impact on businesses, the South African economy, and workers, with
both positive and bad outcomes. These periodic labour disputes require careful
management to establish a balance between worker concerns and economic
stability.

REFERENCE LIST

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1. Introduction to Trade Unions. (n.d.). nidirect. Retrieved from
[https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/introduction-trade-unions](https://www.nidirect.go
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2. History of NEHAWU. (n.d.). NEHAWU. Retrieved from

[https://www.nehawu.org.za/history-of-nehawu.html](https://www.nehawu.org.za/histo
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3. NEHAWU. (n.d.). University of the Free State. Retrieved from

[https://www.ufs.ac.za/nehawu](https://www.ufs.ac.za/nehawu)

4. NEHAWU: About NEHAWU. (n.d.). University of the Free State. Retrieved from
[https://www.ufs.ac.za/nehawu#:~:text=NEHAWU%20was%20founded%20on%2027
,with%201%2C9%20million%20members.](https://www.ufs.ac.za/nehawu#:~:text=N
EHAWU%20was%20founded%20on%2027,with%201%2C9%20million%20member
s.)

5. NEHAWU History the unfinished story by Martha Helen Molete.

6. Benefits of Working with Trade Unions. (n.d.). Ethical Trading Initiative. Retrieved
from
[https://www.ethicaltrade.org/sites/default/files/shared_resources/benefits_of_workin
g_with_trade_unions.pdf](https://www.ethicaltrade.org/sites/default/files/shared_reso
urces/benefits_of_working_with_trade_unions.pdf)

7. Reasons for Joining Trade Unions. (n.d.). What is Human Resource. Retrieved
from
[https://www.whatishumanresource.com/reasons-for-joining-trade-unions](https://ww
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8. Join a Union: The New Deal. (n.d.). Labour Unions. Retrieved from
[https://labourunions.org.uk/join-a-union-new-deal/](https://labourunions.org.uk/join-a
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9. Why Join a Union. (n.d.). Trades Union Congress (TUC). Retrieved from
[https://www.tuc.org.uk/why-join-union](https://www.tuc.org.uk/why-join-union)

10. Ten Reasons Why Unions Are Important. (n.d.). War on Want. Retrieved from
[https://waronwant.org/news-analysis/ten-reasons-why-unions-are-important](https://
waronwant.org/news-analysis/ten-reasons-why-unions-are-important)

11. Information Desk. (n.d.). Media Don. Retrieved from

[https://mediadon.co.za/information-desk/#:~:text=Workers%20who%20join%20a%2
0trade,your%20own%2C%20as%20an%20individual.](https://mediadon.co.za/inform
ation-desk/#:~:text=Workers%20who%20join%20a%20trade,your%20own%2C%20a
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12. The Effects of Strikes on Businesses and Employees. (n.d.). Affirmative

Portfolios. Retrieved from
[https://affirmativeportfolios.co.za/the-affects-of-strikes-on-businesses-and-employee
s/#:~:text=Employment%20relationships%20between%20both%20parties,consumer
%20confidence%20is%20adversely%20affected.](https://affirmativeportfolios.co.za/t
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nships%20between%20both%20parties,consumer%20confidence%20is%20adverse
ly%20affected.)

13. Molete, M. H. (n.d.). The Effects of Labor Strikes on the South African Economy.
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