VISION
A labour movement that is part of a vibrant civil society that promotes egalitarianism. 

MISSION
To conduct research, provide information and facilitate participatory education for trade union development.

ORGANISATIONAL OBJECTIVES
To increase knowledge towards trade union development 
To increase capacity to mobilise oneself and others 
To increase the influence of oneself and others within the contexts we work 

The Labour Research Service (LRS) is a membership-based labour support organisation established in 1986. We support the core functions of trade unions such as collective bargaining and organising and help to link unions with other role-players and constituencies. Our work influences policies that will enable workers to fully claim their rights. We support global union federations in building trade unions and trade union networks around multinational companies in Africa. We influence approaches to gender equality and gender-based violence in unions and within communities in South Africa and Africa. We work to develop new layers of worker leaders within trade unions and in so doing support the reproduction of these important organs of civil society. 

READ THE LRS STORY

CORE BUSINESS

• Leadership development and the development of gender equality in trade unions and in all forms of organisations supporting working people and people seeking employment.
• Raising awareness and advocating for labour rights in all forms of workplaces.
• Supporting the renewal of strategies for trade union and workplace organising, bargaining and resource development with a special focus on the living wage, issues impacting on women’s participation in the workplace, the wage gap, vulnerable work and information management.
• Supporting the renewal of approaches to workers education initiatives
• Supporting multinational union alliances to confront multinational companies.
• Reshaping corporate governance.

CORE PROGRAMMES

1. Gender Equality
   
2. Collective Bargaining Support
   
3. Transforming Corporate Governance
   

OUR CONSTITUENCY

• Organised and unorganised workers in both formal and informal employment 
  
• Workers and worker organisations in more marginalised sectors, for example, domestic workers; employees of labour brokers; farmworkers and women in the service sectors of hospitality; call centres; retail and the health and social services
  
• Public sector workers
  

OUR PARTNERS 

The Olof Palme International Centre

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung | Trade Union Competency Centre

Gender at Work

The International Labour Organisation

The Joint Gender Fund

The National Skills Fund

The Solidarity Centre

The DGB Bildungswerk Bund

View our Annual Reports 

LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

The LRS is union-controlled, with 15 member trade unions representing over two million workers in South Africa. We work across federation lines, creating and supporting spaces that are inclusive and which emphasize commonality.

LRS MEMBER UNIONS 

1. Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) – 51,061 members
   
2. Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) – 84,000 members
   
3. Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) – 127,000 members
   
4. Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA) – 68,000 members
   
5. Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) – 72,246 members
   
6. Metal Electrical Workers Union of South Africa (MEWUSA) – 17,000 members
   
7. National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) – 276,159 members
   
8. National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – 270,649 members
   
9. National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) – 338,000
   
10. South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) – 177,000 members
    
11. South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) – 7,200 members
    
12. South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) – 253 039 members
    
13. South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) – 161,490 members
    
14. South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) – 101,458 members
    
15. Transport Omnibus Workers Union (TOWU) - 1,600 members
    

COOPERATION & PARTNERSHIPS

We've built strong links in various networks, including Government Departments and Commissions, International Solidarity Support Organisations, Community-Based Organisations, Non-governmental Organisations, Global Union Federations, academic institutions and the International Labour Organisation. We continue to cultivate new relationships with partners working in our thematic areas. We engage with a network of individuals who are able to contribute to LRS programme delivery and bolster our capacity.

LRS BOARD MEMBERS

Our board is elected at an annual general meeting. Our board members are a mix of trade union worker leaders and officials. There are currently six elected directors of the LRS and the executive director is an ex-officio director. The board of directors who serve without pay provide a critical oversight role and provide the LRS with a grounding in the trade union movement.

Current board members:

Mvovo, P (NUM); Gwebityala, M.P (FAWU); Klaas, F. (SACCAWU); Elsley T. H. (LRS); Marule, C. (NEHAWU); Matana, B. (SATAWU); Siyana, N. (NUMSA)

Registration number: 1986/002993/08 | VAT registration number: 4810105587 | Tax registration number: 945/0255/03/0 | NPO registration number: 050-326-NPO