Pulled apart, pushed together: diversity and unity within the Congress of South African Trade Unions

Article

Brookes, M., Hinks, T., Wood, G., Dibben, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Pulled apart, pushed together: diversity and unity within the Congress of South African Trade Unions. Relations Industrielles / Industrial Relations. 59 (4), pp. 769-792. https://doi.org/10.7202/011338ar
TypeArticle
TitlePulled apart, pushed together: diversity and unity within the Congress of South African Trade Unions
AuthorsBrookes, M., Hinks, T., Wood, G., Dibben, P. and Roper, I.
Abstract

This is a study of horizontal and vertical solidarity within a national labour movement, based on a nationwide survey of members of affiliated unions of the Congress of South African Trade Unions. On the one hand, the survey reveals relatively high levels of vertical and horizontal solidarity, despite the persistence of some cleavages on gender and racial lines. On the other hand, the maintenance and deepening of existing horizontal and vertical linkages in a rapidly changing socio-economic context, represents one of many challenges facing organized labour in an industrializing economy. COSATU’s strength is contingent not only on an effective organizational capacity, and a supportive network linking key actors and interest groupings, but also on the ability to meet the concerns of existing constituencies and those assigned to highly marginalized categories of labour.

Research GroupDiversity and Gender group
Employment Relations group
PublisherUniversite Laval
JournalRelations Industrielles / Industrial Relations
ISSN0034-379X
Publication dates
PrintOct 2004
Publication process dates
Deposited24 Oct 2008
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
Copyright Statement

Permission to host a copy of this article granted by Industrial Relations/Relations Industrielles.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.7202/011338ar
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/80vyv

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
r80329.pdf

  • 47
    total views
  • 13
    total downloads
  • 3
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Soft law regulation and labour rights reporting: a deficit in moral legitimacy?
Parsa, S., Roper, I., Maurer, I. and Muller-Camen, M. 2025. Soft law regulation and labour rights reporting: a deficit in moral legitimacy? Accounting Forum. 49 (1), pp. 20-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/01559982.2023.2250030
Benevolent authoritarianism, paternalism and religious humanitarianism in Sri Lanka: a dependent or autonomous HR?
Hettiarachchi, C., Parsa, S. and Roper, I. 2024. Benevolent authoritarianism, paternalism and religious humanitarianism in Sri Lanka: a dependent or autonomous HR? The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 35 (20), pp. 3475-3495. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.2421343
No poverty, zero hunger and human resource management
Roper, I., Parsa, S. and Hettiarachchi, C. 2024. No poverty, zero hunger and human resource management. in: Aust-Gronarz, I., Cooke, F. and Semeijn, J. (ed.) The Elgar Companion to Human Resource Management and the Sustainable Development Goals Edward Elgar Publishing.
Transparency and disclosure in supply chains: modern slavery and worker voice
Parsa, S., Roper, I. and Hettiarachchi, C. 2022. Transparency and disclosure in supply chains: modern slavery and worker voice. UK Middlesex University, London & University of Essex, Colchester. https://doi.org/10.57685/EPRINTS.MDX.AC.UK.00034618
The quantified workplace: a study in self tracking, agility and change management
Moore, P., Piwek, L. and Roper, I. 2018. The quantified workplace: a study in self tracking, agility and change management. in: Ajana, B. (ed.) Self-Tracking: Empirical and Philosophical Investigations Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 93-110
Have labour practices and human rights disclosures enhanced corporate accountability? The case of the GRI framework
Parsa, S., Roper, I., Muller-Camen, M. and Szigetvari, E. 2018. Have labour practices and human rights disclosures enhanced corporate accountability? The case of the GRI framework. Accounting Forum. 42 (1), pp. 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2018.01.001
Hollowing out national agreements in the NHS? The case of "Improving Working Lives" under a "Turnaround" plan
Roper, I., Etherington, D. and Lewis, S. 2017. Hollowing out national agreements in the NHS? The case of "Improving Working Lives" under a "Turnaround" plan. Employee Relations. 39 (2), pp. 145-159. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-05-2015-0092
What most makes HR a profession? The difference of views at national and organisational levels
Roper, I. and Higgins, P. 2016. What most makes HR a profession? The difference of views at national and organisational levels. CIPD Applied Research Conference 2015 The shifting landscape of work and working lives. Warwick University, The Shard 08 Dec 2015 CIPD.
Employment regulation and productivity: is there a case for deregulation?
Brookes, M., James, P. and Rizov, M. 2018. Employment regulation and productivity: is there a case for deregulation? Economic and Industrial Democracy. 39 (3), pp. 381-403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X16631029
HRM as an emerging new managerial profession
Higgins, P., Roper, I. and Gamwell, S. 2016. HRM as an emerging new managerial profession. in: Wilkinson, A., Hislop, D. and Coupland, C. (ed.) Perspectives on Contemporary Professional Work: Challenges and Experiences Cheltenham Edward Elgar Publishing . pp. 286-312
A multilevel analysis of the use of individual pay-for-performance systems
Gooderham, P., Fenton-O'Creevy, M., Croucher, R. and Brookes, M. 2018. A multilevel analysis of the use of individual pay-for-performance systems. Journal of Management. 44 (4), pp. 1479-1504. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206315610634
Reporting on sustainability and HRM: a comparative study of sustainability reporting practices by the world’s largest companies
Ehnert, I., Parsa, S., Roper, I., Wagner, M. and Muller-Camen, M. 2016. Reporting on sustainability and HRM: a comparative study of sustainability reporting practices by the world’s largest companies. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 27 (1), pp. 88-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1024157
Recent developments in the equality and diversity agenda in the UK: the 'big society' under austerity
Roper, I. and Tatli, A. 2014. Recent developments in the equality and diversity agenda in the UK: the 'big society' under austerity. in: Klarsfeld, A., Booysen, L., Ng, E., Roper, I. and Tatli, A. (ed.) Handbook of international diversity management at work Cheltenham, UK Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 266-280
Introduction: equality and diversity in 14 countries – analysis and summary
Klarsfeld, A., Booysen, L., Ng, E., Roper, I. and Tatli, A. 2014. Introduction: equality and diversity in 14 countries – analysis and summary. in: Klarsfeld, A., Booysen, L., Ng, E., Roper, I. and Tatli, A. (ed.) Handbook of international diversity management at work Cheltenham, UK Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.. pp. 1-13
Ethics and spirituality in the workplace: the growing role of the business case in reforms
Freeman, T., Kunter, A., Douglas, C. and Roper, I. 2015. Ethics and spirituality in the workplace: the growing role of the business case in reforms. Human Resource Management International Digest. 23 (5), pp. 43-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-05-2015-0092
Researching comparative institutional contexts
Brookes, M., Wood, G., Brewster, C. and Croucher, R. 2014. Researching comparative institutional contexts. in: Wood, G., Brewster, C. and Brookes, M. (ed.) Human resource management and the institutional perspective Routledge. pp. 15-24
Is there convergence towards individual voice in Europe?
Croucher, R., Brookes, M., Wood, G. and Brewster, C. 2014. Is there convergence towards individual voice in Europe? in: Wood, G., Brewster, C. and Brookes, M. (ed.) Human resource management and the institutional perspective Routledge. pp. 59-77
Non-standard working time: an international and comparative analysis
Richbell, S., Brookes, M., Brewster, C. and Wood, G. 2011. Non-standard working time: an international and comparative analysis. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 22 (4), pp. 945-962. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.555135
Employee turnover, HRM and institutional contexts.
Croucher, R., Wood, G., Brewster, C. and Brookes, M. 2012. Employee turnover, HRM and institutional contexts. Economic and Industrial Democracy. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X11424768
Critical issues in human resource management
Roper, I., Prouska, R. and Chatrakul Na Ayudhya, U. 2010. Critical issues in human resource management. London Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
The social audit of labour standards: what can it tell us about employer motivation to disclose?
Roper, I., Parsa, S. and Muller-Camen, M. 2011. The social audit of labour standards: what can it tell us about employer motivation to disclose? Across Boundaries: An Interdisciplinary Conference on the Global Challenges Facing Workers and Employment Research. BJIR 50th Anniversary Conference. London School of Economics 12 - 13 Dec 2011
Measuring competing explanations of human resource management practices through the Cranet survey: cultural versus institutional explanations
Brookes, M., Croucher, R., Fenton-O'Creevy, M. and Gooderham, P. 2011. Measuring competing explanations of human resource management practices through the Cranet survey: cultural versus institutional explanations. Human Resource Management Review. 21 (1), pp. 68-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2010.09.012
Gender wage differentials and discrimination in the UK and Europe.
Brookes, M. 2006. Gender wage differentials and discrimination in the UK and Europe. PhD thesis Middlesex University Business School.
Flexibility and work-life balance.
Lewis, S. and Roper, I. 2008. Flexibility and work-life balance. in: Muller-Camen, M., Croucher, R. and Leigh, S. (ed.) Human resource management: a case study approach. London Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. pp. 181-199
Context, strategy and financial participation: a comparative analysis
Croucher, R., Brookes, M., Wood, G. and Brewster, C. 2010. Context, strategy and financial participation: a comparative analysis. Human Relations. 63 (6), pp. 835-855. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709343654
Comparative report on the innovation groups
Lewis, S., Etherington, D., Mark, A., Brookes, M. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2008. Comparative report on the innovation groups. Middlesex University/Utrecht University.
Trade unions and the crisis of democracy
Roper, I. 2004. Trade unions and the crisis of democracy. in: Harcourt, M. and Wood, G. (ed.) Trade Unions and Democracy: Strategies and Perspectives Manchester. Manchester University Press.
Towards the revitalisation of the public?
Wood, G. and Roper, I. 2004. Towards the revitalisation of the public? in: Dibben, P., Wood, G. and Roper, I. (ed.) Contesting public sector reforms: critical perspectives, international debates. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
Public sector management and the neo-liberal hegemony: a critical and international perspective
Dibben, P., Roper, I. and Wood, G. 2004. Public sector management and the neo-liberal hegemony: a critical and international perspective. in: Dibben, P., Wood, G. and Roper, I. (ed.) Contesting public sector reforms: critical perspectives, international debates. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
Managing quality in public services: some distinct implications for the re-organisation of work
Roper, I. 2004. Managing quality in public services: some distinct implications for the re-organisation of work. in: Dibben, P., Wood, G. and Roper, I. (ed.) Contesting public sector reforms: critical perspectives, international debates. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
The limits of numerical flexibility: continuity and change
Harcourt, M., Roper, I. and Wood, G. 2006. The limits of numerical flexibility: continuity and change. in: Wood, G. and James, P. (ed.) Institutions, Production, and Working Life Oxford, UK Oxford University Press (OUP).
Trade, aid and conflict resolution: the changing relations between Britain and East Africa.
Roper, I., Wood, G. and Africa Institute of South Africa. 2007. Trade, aid and conflict resolution: the changing relations between Britain and East Africa. in: Adar, G. and Schraeder, P. (ed.) Globalization and emerging trends in African foreign policy: a comparative perspective of Eastern Africa. Lanham, MD University Press of America..
Conclusion: the logic of work and employment reforms in the public services: a comparative reflection
Wood, G. and Roper, I. 2007. Conclusion: the logic of work and employment reforms in the public services: a comparative reflection. in: Dibben, P., James, P., Roper, I. and Wood, G. (ed.) Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 180-189
Partnership: transforming the employment relationship in public service delivery
Roper, I. and Grimshaw, D. 2007. Partnership: transforming the employment relationship in public service delivery. in: Dibben, P., James, P., Roper, I. and Wood, G. (ed.) Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 165-179
Contesting public sector reforms: critical perspectives, international debates
Dibben, P., Wood, G. and Roper, I. 2004. Contesting public sector reforms: critical perspectives, international debates. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace
Dibben, P., Wood, G., Roper, I. and James, P. 2007. Modernising work in public services: redefining roles and relationships in Britain's changing workplace. Basingstoke Palgrave Macmillan.
Quality management and trade unions in local government: demonstrating social partnership
Roper, I. 2000. Quality management and trade unions in local government: demonstrating social partnership. Employee Relations. 22 (5), pp. 442-466. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425450010377579
No room for manoeuvre: does 'best value' provide a better deal for workers in UK local government?
Higgins, P. and Roper, I. 2002. No room for manoeuvre: does 'best value' provide a better deal for workers in UK local government? Society in Transition. 30 (2).
The business of politics in Mozambique: the 1999 elections and beyond.
Roper, I. and Wood, G. 2003. The business of politics in Mozambique: the 1999 elections and beyond. Archiv orientalni. 71 (1).
Involving the socially excluded in transport decision making
Dibben, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Involving the socially excluded in transport decision making. Local governance. 30 (1), pp. 32-41.
Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government.
Higgins, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government. Asia pacific journal of public administration. 26 (2), pp. 95-114.
The importance of legislated employment protection for worker commitment in coordinated market economics
Roper, I., Harcourt, M. and Wood, G. 2007. The importance of legislated employment protection for worker commitment in coordinated market economics. Journal of Economic Issues.
Resolving near carrier spectral infinities due to 1/f phase noise in oscillators.
Chorti, A. and Brookes, M. 2007. Resolving near carrier spectral infinities due to 1/f phase noise in oscillators. IEEE.
On the effects of memoryless nonlinearities on M-QAM and DQPSK OFDM signals
Chorti, A. and Brookes, M. 2006. On the effects of memoryless nonlinearities on M-QAM and DQPSK OFDM signals. IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques. 54 (8), pp. 3301-3315. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2006.879129
A spectral model for RF oscillators with power-law phase noise
Chorti, A. and Brookes, M. 2006. A spectral model for RF oscillators with power-law phase noise. IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers. 53 (9), pp. 1989-1999. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCSI.2006.881182
Trade unions and democracy in South Africa: union organisational challenges and solidarities in a time of transformation
Buhlungu, S., Brookes, M. and Wood, G. 2008. Trade unions and democracy in South Africa: union organisational challenges and solidarities in a time of transformation. British Journal of Industrial Relations. 46 (3), pp. 439-468. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2008.00685.x
Similarity, isomorphism or duality? Recent survey evidence on the human resource management policies of multinational corporations
Brewster, C., Brookes, M. and Wood, G. 2008. Similarity, isomorphism or duality? Recent survey evidence on the human resource management policies of multinational corporations. British Journal of Management. 19 (4), pp. 320-342. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2007.00546.x
German employers' inputs to employee skills development
Croucher, R. and Brookes, M. 2009. German employers' inputs to employee skills development. Industrial relations. 48 (2), pp. 231-236. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-232X.2009.00555.x
Varieties of firm: complementarity and bounded diversity
Wood, G., Croucher, R., Brewster, C., Collings, D. and Brookes, M. 2009. Varieties of firm: complementarity and bounded diversity. Journal of Economic Issues. XLIII (1), pp. 241-260.
An investigation into the compatibility of consultation and performance comparison in the UK's policy of best value
Higgins, P., Roper, I. and James, P. 2005. An investigation into the compatibility of consultation and performance comparison in the UK's policy of best value. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 29 (2) (2), pp. 148-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2004.00423.x
Best value: is it delivering?
Higgins, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Best value: is it delivering? Public Money & Management. 24 (4), pp. 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9302.2004.00427.x
Workplace partnership and public service provision: the case of the 'Best Value' performance regime in British local government
Roper, I., Higgins, P. and James, P. 2005. Workplace partnership and public service provision: the case of the 'Best Value' performance regime in British local government. Work, Employment and Society. 19 (3), pp. 639-649. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005055677
Promoting family friendly policies: is the basis of the Government's ethical standpoint viable?
Roper, I., Cunningham, I. and James, P. 2003. Promoting family friendly policies: is the basis of the Government's ethical standpoint viable? Personnel Review. 32 (2), pp. 211-230. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480310460225
Are Works Councils and Joint Consultative Committees a threat to Trade Unions? A comparative analysis
Brewster, C., Wood, G., Croucher, R. and Brookes, M. 2007. Are Works Councils and Joint Consultative Committees a threat to Trade Unions? A comparative analysis. Economic and Industrial Democracy. 28 (1), pp. 49-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143831X07073027
What determines the size of HR function? A cross-national analysis
Brookes, M., Brewster, C., Wood, G. and Van Ommeren, J. 2006. What determines the size of HR function? A cross-national analysis. Human Resource Management. 45 (1), pp. 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.20093
Social relations, firms and societies: a study of institutional embeddedness
Brookes, M., Brewster, C. and Wood, G. 2005. Social relations, firms and societies: a study of institutional embeddedness. International Sociology. 20 (4), pp. 403-426. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580905058322
Collective and individual voice: convergence in Europe?
Brewster, C., Croucher, R., Wood, G. and Brookes, M. 2007. Collective and individual voice: convergence in Europe? International Journal of Human Resource Management. 18 (7), pp. 1246-1262. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190701393582
Flexible working arrangements: from work-life to gender equity policies.
Lewis, S. and Roper, I. 2008. Flexible working arrangements: from work-life to gender equity policies. in: Cartwright, S. and Cooper, C. (ed.) The Oxford handbook of personnel psychology Oxford Oxford University Press (OUP).
Shaping the bargaining agenda. The Audit Commission and public service reform in British local government
Roper, I., Higgins, P. and James, P. 2007. Shaping the bargaining agenda. The Audit Commission and public service reform in British local government. The International Journal of Human Resource Management. 18 (9), pp. 1589-1607. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190701570650
The role of competition in best value: how far does it differ to CCT?
Higgins, P., Roper, I. and James, P. 2005. The role of competition in best value: how far does it differ to CCT? Local Government Studies. 31 (2), pp. 219-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930500032148