Towards global social movement unionism? Trade union responses to globalization in South Africa |
The paper provides an historical overview of the South African labour movement’s involvement in trans-national action. It shows how the South African labour movement has used various campaign modalities to draw attention to the negative impact of globalization. These include formally affiliating to International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), and thereby taking part in attempts to influence the global trade agenda through campaigns for a social clause; various campaigns through the International Trade Secretariats; campaigns, including blockades and ‘go slows’ to support the struggle of unions in neighbouring countries for labour rights and political democratization; challenging government tariff policy through protest action made possible by the National Economic, Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC); forming more durable organizational links with unions elsewhere when joint campaigns are undertaken; and linking unions in similar industries at regional level through regular meetings and information sharing. Nevertheless, unions have been unable to deal with work intensification and casualization, both key consequences of globalization. It is here that unions will be forced to become more outward looking, and to link up with unions and social movements globally. Opportunities are many, but capacity is lacking at this stage. A key challenge for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is to revitalize and strengthen its social movement characteristics, especially those of worker control and links with civil society. Like national campaigns, global campaigns depend on the active support of members, building on a consciousness of the importance of solidarity. Global social movement unionism provides a model for this, and is based on some of the traditions that the South African labour movement shares with labour movements elsewhere. Download the paper from the ILO's website.
Towards global social movement unionism? Trade union responses to globalization in South Africa