Rights of Trade Unions

Registered unions have more rights than unregistered ones, including:

• organisational rights awarded by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA);
• a right to –
  • be a member of a bargaining or statutory council, subject to the admission requirements of the council;
  • enter into agency and closed shop agreements;
    o establish workplace forums;
  • conclude collective agreements;
  • enter an employer’s premises (employer’s permission is required to enter a private home) to recruit or meet members;
  • hold meetings with employees outside their working hours at the employer’s premises; and
  • conduct elections or ballots among its members on union matters.

All trade unions have a right to –

• perform lawful activities;
• form or affiliate with national and/or international trade union or employers’ federations; and
• fund or be funded by such international federations.

Based on Legislation in Section 8, Section 12, Section 17, of the Labour Relations Act

SOURCE:http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/legislation/acts/basic-guides/basic-guide-to-trade-unions