Category: Articles

11 steps you should take to prepare for wage bargaining

There are certain key steps to take when preparing for wage bargaining. From gathering information to developing positions to take into negotiations, learn how the effective negotiator approaches wage bargaining.

3 years ago

Recruitment vs. Organising: What’s the difference?

by LRS collective bargaining support / Negotiator's Guide / organising / recruitment / shop stewards

The difference between recruitment and organising comes down to what a worker is likely to think about, feel and do. Learn more about the differences.

3 years ago

MNC Trends Report | 2021

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg bargain / directors’ fees / MNC sector reports / MNC trends report / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

Trade unions use our company research to improve their strategies for bargaining, alliance building and campaigns. The 2021 Multinational Corporations (MNC) Trends report attempts to make sense of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in twelve key sectors of the economy.

3 years ago

The Negotiator’s Guide – A guide to negotiating in a changing workplace

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining / future of work / gender equality / labour market / negotiate / Negotiator's Guide / organise / trade union negotiators

The LRS Negotiator’s Guide provides strategies to inspire, organise and represent workers.

3 years ago

Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Sector and company performance

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg bargain / directors’ fees / MNC sector reports / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

Our analysis of the revenue, profits and executive pay in JSE-listed companies provides trade unions with information to improve their strategies for bargaining, alliance building and campaigns.

3 years ago

The labour laws every worker representative in South Africa should know

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining agreements / labour laws / organise / shop stewards

An effective shop steward can identify key labour laws to support the union’s bargaining and organising activities.

3 years ago

Bargaining Benchmarks | December 2021

by George Mthethwa bargaining benchmarks / collective bargaining support / gross domestic product / growth domestic produce / inflation / negotiate / unemployment rate / wages

Five bargaining benchmarks every trade union negotiator should know. The benchmarks will help you to enter bargaining processes as an informed role player.

3 years ago

What will it take to create a successful national response to GBV in South Africa?

by LRS femicide / GBV strategies / gender based violence / gender equality / LGBTI rights

The recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service show Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is devastatingly pervasive. Lindelwe Nxumalo, Women’s Rights Programme Manager at ActionAid, offers some actions for ensuring a successful national response to GBV.

3 years ago

We need more resources and collaboration to tackle GBV

by Zanele Chakela femicide / GBV strategies / gender based violence / gender equality

Nontyatyambo Makapela, Programme Officer at Sister Love International South Africa, reflects on how GBV is a barrier to women’s full participation in the economy and the need for building resilient and sustainable support organisations.

3 years ago

defining a just transition for trade unions in africa

Ten trade union arguments for a just energy transition in Africa

by Marie Daniel climate change / decent work agenda / energy sector / green collective bargaining / just transition / trade union strategies

A just transition involves climate action that provides decent jobs and less hardship for workers and their communities.

3 years ago

How to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace

by LRS gender based violence / sexual harassment / young women workers

Sexual harassment in the workplace is manifesting in more subtle forms. Know more and protect your rights as a worker.

3 years ago

Addressing gender-based violence in the workplace

by LRS equity bargaining / femicide / gender based violence / gender equality / ILO Convention 190 / negotiate

When stakeholders act collectively, it is possible to transform the norms, policies and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence in the workplace.

3 years ago

Retail sector report 2021

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg bargain / company research / directors’ fees / retail sector / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

This report provides trade unions with strategic research that will improve their bargaining with big retail companies. Find simplified financial information on the company. Know how much the CEO earned. Compare profits. Know the impact of Covid-19.

3 years ago

Seven steps to ensure decent work in trade agreements

by Marie Daniel afCFTA / agoa / free trade agreements / labour provisions / regional integration / trade / Tunis AfCFTA statement

The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement does not include labour provisions or references to the creation of decent work. Here’s how trade unions can argue for inclusion.

3 years ago

Using labour laws in union bargaining: 12 possible workplace scenarios

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining support / labour law / shop stewards / workplace grievances

Using labour laws to organise and represent workers is a key skill for shop stewards.

3 years ago

The LRS MNC database: Keeping multinational companies in Africa accountable

by LRS bargain / bargaining benchmarks / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

The LRS Multinational Corporations (MNC) database tracks over 80 JSE-listed companies operating in 14 sectors. Find simplified financial information of the company. Monitor profit across the sector. Know how much the CEO was paid.

3 years ago

Workplace grievances: 10 steps to handle them effectively

by LRS collective bargaining support / company-level bargaining / negotiate / workplace grievances

A guide for shop stewards on how to solve workers’ complaints and maintain strong workplace unions.

3 years ago

Young people, especially young women, continue to face greater unemployment

The world of work and Covid-19: Six important things to know

by LRS conditions of employment / covid-19 pandemic / labour market / unemployment rate

The impact of the pandemic on employment is worse than expected, says the International Labour Organisation in a new report.

3 years ago

Bargaining at company level: A basic guide for shop stewards

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining support / negotiate / shop stewards

Learn a step-by-step approach to successful bargaining at the company level. #goingbacktobasics

3 years ago

A decent standard of living costs R7 911

by LRS decent standard of living / inequality / living wage

The Decent Standard of Living measure offers us a fresh way of looking at the living wage. This measure defines what makes a decent standard of living and it is made of the perceptions of our people. This measure is based on a set of 34 socially perceived necessities for a decent life. If you have these things, you have a decent standard of living.

3 years ago

Bargaining Benchmarks | September 2021

by George Mthethwa collective bargaining support / gross domestic produce / inflation / negotiate / unemployment rate / wages

Our series of benchmarks will help trade union negotiators to enter into bargaining processes as informed role players.

3 years ago

Towards a partnership of equals: Lessons learned in transnational solidarity

by Sahra Ryklief labour movement / trade union solidarity / workers' education

The keystone to international solidarity is crafting a concerted response to the power relationship which invariably underlies all acts of solidarity.

3 years ago

Are we ready for platform co-operatives in South Africa?

by Ratula Beukman collective bargaining suport / domestic workers / labour law / organise / platform economy / worker co-operatives

Can worker-owned co-operatives get a grip on the digital economy and contribute to helping our communities end their socio-economic struggles?

3 years ago

Organising and empowering young women workers

by LRS gender based violence / gender equality / organise / vulnerable workers / women organising strategies / workers’ rights

Our range of resources address the key workplace issues for young women workers and are useful for the union that wants to tap into the creativity and energy that empowered young women members can bring to the organisation.

3 years ago

Effective information management in trade unions: Four possible measures to try

by George Mthethwa collective bargaining agreements / collective bargaining support / databases / information management / trade union development

Unions can benefit from a more conscious approach to managing collective bargaining agreements information.

3 years ago

Bargaining with a gender equity lens – A resource for trade union facilitators and trainers

by LRS collective bargaining agreements / gender equality / gender equity / participatory education / workers' education

Our facilitation exercise will strengthen the ability of workshop participants to understand concepts and have the confidence to bargain with a gender equity lens. Get your copy.

3 years ago

The economic cost of sexual harassment in the workplace

by LRS gender equality / gender pay gap / POPI Act / sexual harassment

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Johan Botes of Baker McKenzie explores the findings of a new report highlighting the economic costs of sexual harassment and suggests ways in which the situation could be changed.

3 years ago

Value chain analysis as a tool for renewing trade union organising and bargaining strategies

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining support / global value chains / organise / shop stewards alliance / trade union development

Effective trade unions act at the local, sectoral and global levels. Learn the four elements to value chain mapping.

3 years ago

How I deal with the pain of others

by Nosipho Twala facilitation exercises / gender based violence / gender equality / methodology / vicarious trauma

As an educator and facilitator in the Gender Equality Programme of Labour Research Service, I am exposed to human trauma often. Here’s my advice on how to be more resilient.

3 years ago

Bargaining Monitor – Wage outcomes in the past six months

by George Mthethwa bargaining monitor / collective bargaining support / negotiate / wages

Despite the state of the economy and the Covid-19 health crisis, unions have managed to negotiate above-inflation wage increases.

3 years ago

Resources for union facilitators and trainers

by LRS educator / gender equality / participatory education / workers' education

It’s proven that exercises and games activate our senses and increase creative learning of new concepts and understanding of ideas. Our collection of facilitation exercises will help trainers involved in participatory education activities for workers.

3 years ago

10 key findings from the 2021 Global Rights Index

by LRS collective bargaining / ITUC Global Rights Index / violence at work / workers’ rights

Abuses of the right to strike, the right to establish and join a trade union, the right to trade union activities and civil liberties and the right to free speech and assembly are at an eight-year high, according to the ITUC’s annual Global Rights Index.

3 years ago

Health and safety training manual for union educators

by LRS collective bargaining support / covid-19 / occupational health and safety / workers' education

This training manual can be used to support shop stewards in ensuring safety at the workplace during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

3 years ago

The future of retail in Zambia – How are workers affected by technological changes?

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg future of work / retail sector / shop steward alliance support / transforming corporate governance / Zambia

Vasco Mainza, Regional Chairperson of the National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers says the union is particularly alarmed by the increasing uptake of flexible work in retail.

3 years ago

Bargaining with South African multinational companies – Shoprite Checkers

by LRS bargain / shop stewards alliance support / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

INFOGRAPHIC: A quick recap of Shoprite’s finances 2020 and going into 2021.

3 years ago

Trade union collective bargaining strategies for 2021

by LRS bargaining strategies / collective bargaining support / conditions of employment / covid-19 / negotiate / south africa / wages

The LRS trade union collective bargaining strategy input looks at the minimum wage and settlement trends; the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and collective bargaining; the 2021 bargaining round; and bargaining for the future.

3 years ago

Pride at Work

by LRS bargaining strategies / Creating safe and inclusive trade unions and workplaces free of homophobia / LGBTI workers rights

A study on discrimination at work on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in South Africa. #PrideMonth

3 years ago

Worker rights: Wages and conditions of employment

by LRS conditions of employment / shop stewards / wages / workers' education / workers’ rights

A shop steward’s guide to finding out who is covered by bargaining council agreements, sectoral determinations and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

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