The sudden change in legal, economic, social, and political orders holds far reaching effects for labour relations in South Africa. Everyone is affected by these changes brought about by numerous new legislative changes. Minority unions have been granted access and organisational rights, challenging the way you will do business.

As an entrepreneur or director your business is very dear to you – it runs on your initiative, your time and naturally you make all the business decisions. Or do you? What role does your labour force have in decision making? What happens when a Trade Union arrives on your doorstep and begins to speak of issues that you were not even aware of? What can you do if you disagree with the Unions – can you disagree?

What do they do if they don’t approve of your decisions – in fact just what kind of say does your labour force have in decision making? What kind of say should they have?

Unions which are “sufficiently representative” either independently or with an affiliated union, of the employees in the workplace have rights of access to employer’s premises in order to recruit members, hold meetings and to conduct ballots. Many companies have been the target for recruitment campaigns by COSATU affiliate unions in the past few months. The unions are running rampant and their demands are crippling business.

• What do you do when you get demands for access?
• When you get demands to meet with the union?
• When you get demands to enter into a Recognition Agreement?
• What and who protects the employers in this instance?
• How can I respond to these demands?
• Can a transport union engage with my steel business employees?
• How the CCMA assists unions to organize their members?

This Programme is designed to assist management and business owners coming to grips with the bullying and frustrating tactics of the unions.