Education, Training and Development Adult Learning

Understanding the Trade Union Movement in South Africa Training

SAQA US 243848 | NQF 4 | Credits 6 | Duration 3 Days
From $967 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the trade union movement in South Africa, including its historical development, legal framework, and current role in the workplace. Participants will gain insights into collective bargaining, labour relations, and the dynamics between unions, employers, and government.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development and significance of the trade union movement in South Africa.
  • Apply knowledge of the legal framework governing trade unions, including the Labour Relations Act and relevant legislation.
  • Analyze the roles and functions of trade unions in collective bargaining, worker representation, and social dialogue.
  • Evaluate the impact of trade unions on workplace relations, productivity, and economic development.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of current challenges and trends facing the trade union movement in South Africa.

Target Audience

This course is designed for HR professionals, line managers, shop stewards, union representatives, and anyone involved in labour relations or seeking to understand the South African trade union landscape.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, a basic understanding of the South African workplace environment is beneficial.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of the Trade Union Movement in South Africa

Objectives:
• Understand the historical context and evolution of trade unions in South Africa
• Identify key legislation governing trade unions (LRA, BCEA, EEA)
• Explain the role of trade unions in the workplace and society
• Describe the structure and functions of trade unions at different levels
• Recognize the relationship between trade unions and employer organizations

Topics:
• History of the South African trade union movement: from early unions to COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU
• Key legislative framework: Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Employment Equity Act (EEA)
• Types of trade unions: general, industrial, craft, and federations
• Trade union structures: shop stewards, branch, regional, national, and federations
• Roles and responsibilities of trade union representatives
• Relationship with employer organizations and bargaining councils

Day 2: Trade Union Functions and Organizing Strategies

Objectives:
• Analyze the core functions of trade unions: collective bargaining, representation, and worker education
• Develop skills for effective recruitment and organizing of members
• Understand the process of collective bargaining and dispute resolution
• Evaluate the impact of strikes, pickets, and protest action
• Apply knowledge of trade union rights in the workplace

Topics:
• Collective bargaining processes: preparation, negotiation, and agreements
• Dispute resolution mechanisms: conciliation, mediation, arbitration (CCMA, bargaining councils)
• Strike and protest action: legal requirements, procedures, and consequences
• Recruitment and organizing strategies: workplace mapping, one-on-one engagement, campaigns
• Trade union education and capacity building for members and leaders
• Rights of trade union representatives: access, time off, protection against victimization

Day 3: Advanced Applications and Practical Integration

Objectives:
• Apply trade union principles to real-world scenarios through case studies
• Develop action plans for workplace organizing and representation
• Evaluate current challenges facing the trade union movement in South Africa
• Demonstrate understanding of trade union democracy and accountability
• Integrate knowledge of labour law and trade union practice

Topics:
• Case studies: successful and failed organizing campaigns, collective bargaining outcomes
• Developing a workplace organizing plan: steps, resources, timelines
• Challenges: casualization, gig economy, declining membership, political influence
• Trade union democracy: elections, mandates, accountability to members
• Future of trade unionism: technology, informal economy, coalition building
• Integration: applying LRA provisions to practical representation scenarios

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 08 Sep 2026 Thu 10 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Wed 30 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Wed 21 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $967 Register
Tue 08 Dec 2026 Thu 10 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Wed 13 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Wed 17 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $967 Register
Tue 02 Mar 2027 Thu 04 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Wed 10 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Wed 17 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $967 Register
Tue 08 Jun 2027 Thu 10 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Wed 30 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Wed 21 Jul 2027 Fri 23 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $967 Register
Tue 07 Sep 2027 Thu 09 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Wed 29 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Wed 20 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $967 Register
Tue 07 Dec 2027 Thu 09 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Wed 29 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
Wed 19 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $967 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Wed 05 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $4,552 Register
Mon 03 Aug 2026 Wed 05 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,906 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,447 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Thu 06 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $3,148 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,392 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 16 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 06 Oct 2026 Thu 08 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Wed 28 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 16 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Tue 19 Jan 2027 Thu 21 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Wed 24 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,258 Register
Wed 10 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 16 Mar 2027 Thu 18 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Wed 24 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 16 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 06 Jul 2027 Thu 08 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Wed 28 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 15 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 05 Oct 2027 Thu 07 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Wed 27 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,258 Register
Wed 15 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Wed 26 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,258 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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