Item sets · Labour Research Service

Chemical Workers' Industrial Union (CWIU) Collection

Archival collection documenting the history, campaigns, and organisational activities of the CWIU. Formed in 1974 following the Durban strikes, it was a founding affiliate of FOSATU (1979) and later COSATU (1985). The collection covers its specialised organisation in the chemical, petroleum, and rubber sectors, including its merger into CEPPWAWU in 1999.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) Collection

Archival collection of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), launched on November 30, 1985. The collection documents the federation's founding principles of non-racialism, worker control, and the concept of "one industry, one union." It includes records of major campaigns such as the Living Wage Campaign, anti-apartheid stayaways, and its participation in the Tripartite Alliance.

Food and Allied Workers' Union Collection

Records documenting the history, campaigns, and administrative activities of FAWU. Formed in 1986 via the merger of the Food and Canning Workers' Union (FCWU), the Sweet, Food and Allied Workers' Union (SFAWU), and the Retail and Allied Workers' Union (RAWU). Includes minutes, strike posters, and correspondence.

NEHAWU worker: magazine of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union

NEHAWU Worker is the magazine of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), a South African trade union representing workers in the education, health, and related public and allied sectors. The publication served as a communication medium for union members and officials, disseminating information on workplace conditions, labour disputes, collective bargaining processes, organisational activities, and policy developments affecting workers in the public sector. The magazine documents aspects of trade union organisation through reports from workplaces and regions, policy statements, educational content, and commentary on national social and political developments. The collection reflects the activities and perspectives of organised labour in South Africa during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, providing primary source material for the study of labour history, industrial relations, public sector employment, and working-class experiences.

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) Collection

A comprehensive archival collection documenting the history, policy-making, and industrial actions of NUMSA. Formed in 1987 through the merger of several unions (including MAWU and NAAWU), NUMSA represents workers in the auto, motor, metal, and engineering sectors. This collection features National Congress resolutions, industry-level collective bargaining agreements, shop steward training manuals, and gender committee reports, reflecting the union's commitment to a "socialist orientation" and worker control.

National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa) Collection

This collection comprises materials produced by and relating to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), a South African trade union representing workers primarily in the mining, energy, and related industrial sectors. The materials functioned as instruments of communication, organisation, and record-keeping and include publications, organisational documents, reports, and related ephemera documenting union activities. The collection records aspects of trade union organisation and labour relations through workplace and regional reports, policy statements, educational material, and commentary on social and political developments affecting mineworkers and their communities. The materials document organised labour activity in South Africa during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries and constitute primary source material for research into labour history, mining history, industrial relations, and worker organisation.

National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) Collection

This item set comprises archival, published, and ephemeral materials produced by or relating to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW), a South African trade union representing workers in the public service and allied sectors. The materials document the union’s organisational activities, campaigns, policy positions, and engagement within the broader South African labour movement. The collection provides insight into labour relations, workers’ rights advocacy, and public sector trade unionism in South Africa.

Organiser Update: Food and Allied Workers’ Union Newsletter

Organiser Update is the newsletter of the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU), a South African trade union representing workers in the food processing, beverage, agriculture, and allied industries. The publication functioned as an internal communication medium, circulating information to union members, organisers, and shop stewards on workplace conditions, labour disputes, collective bargaining processes, union activities, and relevant social and political developments. The newsletter records aspects of trade union organisation through workplace and regional reports, policy statements, educational material, and commentary on contemporary national events. The collection documents organised labour activity in South Africa during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries and constitutes a primary source for the study of labour history, industrial relations, political organisation, and working-class experiences.

Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (PPWAWU) Collection

Archival collection documenting the history of PPWAWU from its formation in 1974 until its merger in 1999. The union was a key affiliate of FOSATU and later COSATU, organizing workers in the forestry, paper milling, and commercial printing industries. The collection includes records of the "Living Wage" campaigns in the paper sector and anti-apartheid mobilization in rural forestry areas.

South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) Collection

This item set comprises archival, published, and ephemeral materials produced by or relating to the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU). The materials document the union’s activities within the commercial, retail, catering, and allied sectors, including collective bargaining, campaigns, organisational development, and engagement in the South African labour movement. The collection provides evidence of workers’ organisation and labour relations in South Africa, particularly in service-sector industries.

South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) Collection

The largest trade union in the South African local government sector. Established in 1987 through the merger of five unions, SAMWU is a COSATU affiliate representing over 160,000 workers in municipalities, water boards, and allied services.

Transport and General Workers Union (T & GWU) Collection

This item set comprises archival materials documenting the activities of the Transport and General Workers Union (T & GWU). The collection includes meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, and strategy documents relating to collective bargaining, sectoral organisation, and union campaigns, particularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The records reflect the union’s engagement with centralised bargaining initiatives and its collaboration with other labour organisations within the broader South African trade union movement.