Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995)

Guidelines

Guidelines issued in terms of Section 95(8) of the Labour Relations Act

The Purpose of this Document

5. The Definiton of a Trade Union
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TRADE UNIONS

 

5. The LRA defines a trade union as follows:

"An association of employees whose principal purpose is to regulate relations between employees and employers, including any employers' organisations."

 

 

6. Therefore, an organisation cannot be registered as a trade union or continue to operate as a registered trade union unless—
(a) it is in fact an association of employees;
(b) the principal purpose of the activities is to regulate relations between its members and their employers (or employers' organisations representing those employers).

 

It will therefore be necessary to raise and examine the actual process of forming a trade union, its composition and membership and the activities it undertakes on behalf of its members. These issues are examined in greater detail in this document.