Education, Training and Development Adult Learning

South African Trade Union Legal Framework Explained Training

SAQA US 243849 | NQF 4 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing trade unions in South Africa. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to interpret and apply key labour legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, within the workplace. The course is designed to equip learners with the ability to explain trade union rights, obligations, and the dispute resolution mechanisms available.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the purpose and key provisions of the Labour Relations Act (No. 66 of 1995) as the primary legal framework for trade unions.
  • Describe the rights of trade unions, including access to the workplace, organisational rights, and collective bargaining.
  • Analyze the procedures for dispute resolution, including referral to the CCMA and Labour Court.
  • Apply the legal requirements for trade union registration, membership, and governance.
  • Evaluate the role of collective agreements and their legal effect on employers and employees.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between trade union law and other relevant legislation such as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for human resources practitioners, labour relations officers, trade union representatives, and managers who need to understand and work within the legal framework for trade union activities in South Africa.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to South African Labour Law and Trade Unions

Objectives:
• Understand the historical context of labour law in South Africa
• Identify key legislation governing trade unions
• Explain the role of trade unions in the workplace
• Define basic labour law terminology
• Recognise the importance of the Constitution in labour relations

Topics:
• Overview of South African labour history
• The Constitution and labour rights
• Key legislation: Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act
• Role and functions of trade unions
• Types of trade unions and federations
• Introduction to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)

Day 2: The Labour Relations Act and Trade Union Registration

Objectives:
• Explain the purpose and scope of the Labour Relations Act (LRA)
• Describe the process of trade union registration
• Understand the rights of trade unions under the LRA
• Identify organisational rights and their application
• Analyse the legal requirements for collective bargaining

Topics:
• Detailed provisions of the LRA
• Registration of trade unions: requirements and procedures
• Trade union rights: access, stop-order facilities, leave for union activities
• Collective bargaining: scope and legal framework
• Bargaining councils and statutory councils
• Dispute resolution mechanisms under the LRA

Day 3: Collective Bargaining and Agreements

Objectives:
• Understand the concept of collective bargaining in South Africa
• Differentiate between different types of collective agreements
• Analyse the legal effect of collective agreements
• Identify the role of bargaining councils
• Evaluate the enforcement of collective agreements

Topics:
• Collective bargaining processes and levels
• Types of collective agreements: recognition, procedural, substantive
• Legal status and binding effect of collective agreements
• Bargaining councils: establishment, functions, and powers
• Extension of collective agreements to non-parties
• Disputes over collective agreements and remedies

Day 4: Unfair Labour Practices and Dispute Resolution

Objectives:
• Define unfair labour practices under the LRA
• Identify common types of unfair labour practices
• Explain the dispute resolution process
• Understand the role of the CCMA and Labour Courts
• Apply procedures for referring disputes

Topics:
• Unfair labour practices: definition and examples
• Dismissal disputes and unfair dismissal
• Dispute resolution procedures: conciliation, arbitration, adjudication
• The CCMA: jurisdiction, processes, and powers
• The Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court
• Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms

Day 5: Strikes, Lockouts, and Protected Action

Objectives:
• Understand the legal framework for strikes and lockouts
• Distinguish between protected and unprotected strikes
• Explain the requirements for protected strike action
• Analyse the consequences of unprotected action
• Identify the role of picketing rules

Topics:
• Definition and types of industrial action
• Requirements for protected strikes: ballot, notice, dispute resolution
• Lockouts: legal requirements and limitations
• Consequences of unprotected strikes and lockouts
• Picketing: rules and regulation
• Essential services and minimum service agreements

Day 6: Trade Union Governance and Accountability

Objectives:
• Understand the internal governance requirements for trade unions
• Explain financial accountability and reporting obligations
• Identify the role of the Registrar of Labour Relations
• Analyse the duties of union officials and shop stewards
• Evaluate the legal consequences of non-compliance

Topics:
• Trade union constitutions and rules
• Financial management and auditing requirements
• Reporting to the Registrar of Labour Relations
• Duties and legal protections for shop stewards
• Code of conduct for trade unions
• Dispute resolution within trade unions

Day 7: Practical Application and Integration of Trade Union Law

Objectives:
• Apply trade union legal principles to real-world scenarios
• Draft a collective agreement clause
• Simulate a dispute resolution process
• Develop a compliance checklist for trade union activities
• Integrate knowledge across all topics covered

Topics:
• Case studies on trade union disputes
• Drafting recognition and procedural agreements
• Mock CCMA arbitration session
• Compliance audit simulation
• Review of key legal provisions
• Final assessment and feedback

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
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Tue 08 Sep 2026 Wed 16 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
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Thu 30 Dec 2027 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 19 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 493 sessions across 26 venues
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Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mon 17 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,283 Register
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Wed 16 Sep 2026 Thu 24 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
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Mon 26 Oct 2026 Tue 03 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
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Mon 22 Mar 2027 Tue 30 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 18 Jun 2027 Mon 28 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 08 Jul 2027 Fri 16 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Wed 28 Jul 2027 Thu 05 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
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Fri 29 Oct 2027 Mon 08 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Tue 21 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 07 Jan 2028 Mon 17 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 27 Jan 2028 Fri 04 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 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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