This inventory (no.17) describes the Records of the Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) and covers the years 1939-1986.
The records inventoried pertain mainly to FOSATU (1977-1986) as well as to the South African Trades and Labour Council (1939-1954), The Trade Union Advisory and Co-ordinating Council (1974-1979), Central Administration Services (1973-1984), and the Institute for Industrial Education (1973-1980).

The records are of considerable interest to the historian, the industrial sociologist and the student of politics. There is much about the internal organisation of FOSATU including the activities of its committees, its education projects, its affiliates, its dealings with overseas labour organisations, as well as other trade union bodies and non-trade union organisations. Subjects covered are: the rise of black trade unionism, labour legislation, 'racial registration' recognition agreements, health and safety, working conditions, strikes, and trade union unity.

The records are classified into separate national bodies. They are further sub-divided into the broad categories of national organisation, regional and special topics. The records are separated by form into minutes, reports, memoranda, correspondence, printed items and press cuttings. A brief history of FOSATU, comprehensive index of all personal names and selected subject fields, and a table of the development of black trade unions from 1972-1984 have been provided.

Abbreviations.

AAWU - African Allied Workers Union.

AFCWU - African Food and Canning Workers Union.

DAMCWC - Black Allied Mining and Construction Workers Union.

BAWD - Black Allied Workers Union.

BC - Black Consciousness.

BEEWU - Black Electronics and Electrical Workers' Union.

BMWU - Black Mine Workers Union.

CCAWUSA - Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union.

CCOIITU - Consultative Committee of Black Trade Unions.

CIWW - Council of Industrial Workers of the Witwatersrand.

CTMWA - Cape Town Municipal Workers' Association.

CUSA - Council of Unions of South Africa.

CWII - Chemical Workers Industrial Union.

EAWU - Engineering & Allied Workers Union.

FTWU - Furniture and Timber Workers Union.

FWN - FOSATU Workers News.

GAWU - General and Allied Workers' Union.

GFWBF - General Factory Workers Benefit Fund.

GWU - General Workers Union.

IAS - Industrial Aid Society.

IAWUSA - Insurance and Assurance Workers Union.

ICFTU - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

IIE - Institute for Industrial Education.

JGU - Jewellers & Goldsmiths Union.

JLDF - Joint Legal Defence Fund.

MACWUSA - Motor Assembly and Component Workers' Union.

MAWU - Metal and Allied Workers Union.

MGWUSA - Municipal and General Workers' Union.

MWASA - Media Workers' Association of South Africa.

NAAWU - National Automobile and Allied Workers Union.

NFBW - National Federation of Black Workers.

NFW - National Federation of Workers.

NGWU - National General Workers Union.

NSIEU - National Sugar Industrial Employees Union.

NUTW - National Union of Textile Workers.

RAWU - Retail and Allied Workers Union.

SAAWU - South African Allied Workers Union.

SALB - South African Labour Bulletin.

SFAWU - Sweet Food & Allied Workers Union.

TGWU - Transport and General Workers Union.

TUACC - Trade Union Advisory and Co-ordinating Council.

TUCSA - Trade Union Council of South Africa.

TWP - Transvaal Workers Project.

UAW - United Automobile Workers.

UBJ - Union of Black Journalists.

UTP - Union of Black Journalists.

WPMAWU - Western Province Motor Assembly Workers Union.

WPWAB - Western Province Workers Advisory Board.

Note: Diagram of Black Trade Union Development 1972-1984 not reproduced.

Included are the organisational records of the Union, such as minutes, memoranda, correspondence, case records and photographs. Subjects of interest include wages, dismissals and the Shop Hours Ordinance.

Minutes of the meetings of the Steering Committee of the Industrial Aid Society, mainly 1974-1976, including the Inaugural Meeting on the 12 December 1973(?). Few minutes of the Workers Education Committee in 1974/1975. Also one issue of "Iswi lase Township", undated; and suggestions for I.A.S reconstruction, undated

Organisational records

Correspondence, minutes, memoranda, photographs, press clippings and printed items on the constitution, affiliated members ,executive, conferences, committees, disputes and TUCSA's relationship with government, individual trade unions and trade unionism overseas.

The records are of considerable interest not only to the historian of industrial relations in South Africa but also to those researching its social and political history. There is much about the internal organisation of TUCSA, including the activities of its committees and Economic Research Durant), the relationship with its affiliates, other trade union bodies within and without South Africa and government. Subjects covered are the rise of Black trade unionism (including Coloured and Indian unions), industrial legislation, job reservation, industrial disputes, automation, industrial health, wages, cost of living, inflation, housing, education, apartheid and race relations.

Abbreviations.

AFL-CIO African Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisation.

BIFSA Building Industries Federation of South Africa.

FOFATUSA Federation of Free African Trade Unions of South Africa.

IC Industrial Conciliation.

ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

ILO International Labour Organisation.

IMF International Metal Workers Federation.

IPM Institute of Personnel Management.

ITGLWF International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation.

NDMF National Development and Management Foundation.

NEC Notional Executive Committee.

NIPR National Institute of Personnel Research.

NUOW National Union of Distributive Workers.

PAYE Pay as you earn.

SACTU South African Congress of Trade Unions.

SACTU South African Federation of Trade Unions.

SALDRU South African Labour and Development Research Unit.

SEIFSA Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa.

TUC Traders Union Congress.

TUCSA Trade Union Council of South Africa.

UWUSA United Workers Union of South Africa.

WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions.