The members continued to protest, but the Government would not listen

The police then began to clear the crowd

the members immediately protested in support of their leader

the Government now decided to remove the Union's leaders. In 1952 Sachs was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act, and was forced to give up his job as Secretary of the Union.

the government's response was to investigate the affairs of the union. They could find no corruption, but Solly Sachs was continually referred to as a 'communist agitator'

From the late 1930's nationalists tried to destroy the GWU. The majority of the members were Afrikaner women, yet they rejected the appeals of the Nationalists. The GWU although it fought the nationalists, at the same time championed the cultural rights of Afrikaners.

'Kappie' Kommandos were formed to celebrate the Voortrekkers Centenary of 1938.

After holding a protest meeting in the morning, the garment workers of germiston held a picnic by Germiston lake in the afternoon.

Member of the 'Union guard' - formed during the 1930's to keep order at meetings and prevent disruption by nationalist and fascist groups.

Increasingly production was carried out in large modern factories. It was not in the interests of the factory owners to have labor disputes, which would leave expensive machinery lying idle. Therefore they became less hostile to the Union, and by 1936 had recognised the Union as representing the workers.

The Depression, and the large number of unemployed made the Union's position very weak. They were defeated, and the bosses began to victimise union members. the union had to be completely rebuilt over the next 2 years.