Publication Gesellschaftstheorie - Globalisierung Labour Research Service

Beitrag zur Konferenz "Gerechtigkeit oder Barbarei" Interkontinentales Forum vom 5. bis 6. Oktober 2000 in Berlin

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October 2000

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Gerechtigkeit oder Barbarei.

Interkontinentales Forum vom 5. bis 6. Oktober 2000

ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN
Incorporating the Trade Union Library
Registration number; 86/02993/08

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Cape Town Trade Union Library was established in 1983 to provide information and education to strengthen and extend the collective bargaining capacity of trade unions. The organisation changed its name to The Trade Union Library and Education Centre in 1996 to demonstrate the growing relevance of its educational activities and focus.

 

The Labour Research Service was established in 1985 to strengthen the collective bargaining capacity of trade unions through the provision of accessible and relevant economic and financial research and information to trade unions.

 

These two organisations shared the same premises since their formation and developed a close working relationship over the past decade, often providing joint programmes to trade unions and sometimes sharing staff. Both organisations were trade union controlled and received consistent support and service commissions from their trade union members.

 

These synergies, in the context of a changed political, social and funding environment that has emerged in South Africa since the democratic changes in 1994, led to a decision to merge the two organisations. In 1999, TULEC was dissolved and incorporated into the Labour Research Service. The name of the merged organisation is Labour Research Service (incorporating the Trade Union Library).

 

The merger of TULEC and LRS integrates a number of programmes that assist trade unions in strengthening their collective bargaining and leadership capabilities. These are, inter alia:

 
  • The Trade Union Library, which includes a comprehensive reference and lending section, with a computerised catalogue. The Library has a scanner, which allows for the dissemination of information through the internet, and a growing trade union archive collection. The Library’s culture of reading project is a long-term developmental programme for the labour movement
  • The Workers’ bookshop, which provides books and magazines relevant to the labour movement at affordable prices
  • The Workers’ Communication Centre, which provides training in and access to the internet as a way of accessing and disseminating information
  • Workers’ World Radio Productions, a project which produces labour programmes
  • The Actual Wage Rates Database (AWARD), which collects wage information from unions and provides wage analyses by industry, job grade and region
  • A monthly Evening Seminar Programme, for trade union and political activists to learn about and discuss topical issues affecting the labour movement. This programme has a union based study circle programme attached, to build trade unionist’s capacity to participate meaningfully.
  • International Study Circles, which allow South African trade unions to share experiences and learning with trade unions from other countries, through the IFWEA
  • A Social Audit Programme, which assesses South African Company performance in key areas such as labour relations, health and safety, training, and environmen
  • A Director’s Fees Survey, that monitors the annual growth of director’s remuneration of listed companies
  • Commissioned education, which provides training in labour legislation, organisational development and leadership skills to trade unions
  • Commissioned research, which provides specialised research on financial, economic and trade issues to trade unions
 

Structure

The LRS is a section 21 (non-profit) company. Its members are Trade Unions, who attend an Annual General Meeting. It is controlled by a Board of Directors, nominated by its member unions. The Director of the LRS is an ex-officio member of the Board. For the year 2000, to ensure continuity, the Board will consist of three Directors nominated from the TULEC member unions and three from the LRS. From 2001 onwards, Directors will be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

 

International affiliation

The LRS is an affiliate of the International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations. IFWEA currently has approximately 100 affiliates from 60 countries around the world. They are united by the IFWEA aim of promoting “educational work according to the principles of solidarity and co-operation, justice and equality, democracy and freedom.” (IFWEA constitution).

 

STAFF

DIRECTOR:

Sahra Ryklief

Sahra has worked for TULEC and the LRS since 1990. She has a diploma in Library studies, a certificate in workplace learning and a Masters degree in Political Science. Prior to this she worked in the Cape Divisional Council Library Service.

 

UNIT HEADS:

Adiela Jamie

Adiela is the head of financial administration. She joined the LRS July 1998, and has a diploma in bookkeeping and accounts. Prior to this she worked for the auditing firm, Moores Rowland.

 

Alison Bullen

Alison is the head of the Trade Union Library. She has worked for the LRS and Trade Union Library on and off since 1990. She has an Honours Degree in African Studies as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Library Science. Prior to this she worked in the SRC resource Centre at the University of Cape Town.

 

Lindi Mbanjwa

Lindi is the head of the Economic Research Unit. She joined the LRS in November 1999. She has a Masters degree in Public and Development Management. Prior to joining the LRS, lectured in gender studies at the University of Witwatersrand.

 

Martin Jansen

Martin is the head of the Education and Media Unit. He joined TULEC in September 1995. He has a postgraduate diploma in African Studies and a teachers’ diploma. Prior to joining TULEC he worked for CWIU for several years.

 
 

UNIT STAFF:

Administration

Francis Henry is the administrator of the LRS. She joined TULEC in 1994. She is studying towards a B.Com through correspondence. Prior to joining TULEC, she worked for 18 years in the insurance industry.

 

Aron Mseleni does general duties for the LRS. He joined the LRS in 1987. Prior to this he worked on the mines in Welkom.

 
 

Trade Union Library

Nokuthula Mankune is the resource centre co-ordinator. She joined the LRS in 1993. She is a graduate of the Skills Training for Employment Centre (STEC).

 

Ray Kutu is the library assistant. He joined TULEC in March 1999. He has a B.A. degree and postgraduate diploma in Management and Employment Law and social security.

 
 

Economic Research Unit

Moeniera Peters is the AWARD database administrator. She joined the LRS in 1994. Prior to joining the LRS, Moeniera worked in commerce.

 

Beaulla Bethanie-Dicks does economic and company research. She joined the LRS in 1998. She has a B.A. from the University of Cape Town.

 

S'miso Myeni does research on company performance. He joined the LRS in 1999. He has a B.Com from the university of Natal. Prior to joining the LRS, S'miso worked in commerce.

 

Nkagiseng Letlonkane does research on company performance. She joined the LRS in 1999. She has a B.Com from the University of Witwatersrand. She worked in commerce before joining the LRS.

 

Jeremy Marillier does economic research. He joined the LRS in 1999. He has a B.Com (Hons) from the University of Western Cape. Jeremy will be leaving the LRS for a position in the public sector at the end of July 2000.

 
 

LRS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Grischelda Hartman is an organiser with the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (CEPPWAWU), a COSATU affiliate.

 

Gwendoline Anderson is a worker leaders with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), a COSATU affiliate.

 

Denzil Isaacs is a worker leader with the Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Workers Union (J&GU), a FEDUSA affiliate and one of the founding unions of the LRS and Trade Union Library.

 

Nicholas Maziya is the regional secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU), a COSATU affiliate.

 

Habofanoe Ketsise is the head of collective bargaining of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), a COSATU affiliate.

 

Ashraf Ryklief is the national education officer of the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers (NULAW), a FEDUSA affiliate.

 

Sahra Ryklief, the director of the LRS is an ex-officio member of the board.