Unionised workforce on the decline

Declining union membership is a reality in the South African labour markets, says Loane Sharp, a labour economist. “Last year the unionised workforce saw a decline of nearly 10% in its membership. Cosatu alone lost nearly R95 million in revenues from membership,” he said. “If one looks at the media it is easy to get the impression that unions are on the rampage and running the country. The exact opposite is true. Especially the more politically inclined unions are making noise because they are wanting government protection due to their declining membership.” Sharp said non-political unions were starting to realise the effects of declining membership and starting to branch into other areas to ensure they remained viable in the long run. “One union has moved into the financial services sector offering anything from life and short-term insurance to bursary schemes and loans. A union like Fedusa for instance will derive more income from its financial services than from its union membership.” He said in terms of Cosatu, indications were that the union was imploding. “And not because of the romantic dalliances of Vavi, but the fundamental forces driving members out of the union movement.” He said now more than ever the new generations were coming into their own and starting to affect the status quo. “Unlike the Boomers, Generation X and Y have questions and they want to know what is happening. They don’t just accept what is told to them. We are moving into an era of teamless leaders and self workers with more flexible working hours and a lot more emphasis on individuality.” He said these generations did not negotiate en mass or collectively in groups which is why they don’t belong to a union. “Two sectors remain heavily unionised and that is mining where 78% of workforce belongs to a union and the public sector with 80% of the employees unionised. In fact there are more union members in the government sector than in the entire private sector put together,” said Sharp. And while the mining strike was of major concern it was a passing phenomenon in the country. “Our research and study is showing us that strike participation is at an all time low. Last year only 4% of union members turned out at strikes called by their leaders.” INSERT & CAPTION A union like Fedusa will derive more income from its financial services than from its union membership. – Loane Sharp