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UASA - United Association of South Africa
The UASA is a mining union that was formed in 1998, as a result of a merger between three prominent mining unions historically known as the SA Technical Officials Association (SATOA), Underground Officials Association (UOA) and the Mine Surface Officials Association (MSOA).The formation of UASA attracted membership from all quarters of the mining industry and, in 1999, UASA became the first trade union in mining history to become the recognised representative of all categories of mine employee (general labourers). UASA is the only mining union representing all race groups and job categories (or so says its website, it may not be truly representative!).UASA is affiliated to the second largest trade union federation in South Africa, namely, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) with more than 30 affiliates and consisting of more than half a million members. Further to that the Association also has the representation, through its affiliation with FEDUSA, on the following national bodies: National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) - National Training Board (NTB) - SA National Consumer Union - Compensation Board - Unemployment Insurance Fund Board - South African Defence Force Liaison Council - National Productivity Institute.1MSP Being that it is associated with FEDUSA, the UASA is an opponent to COSATU and although it claims to be diverse, its website shows that the officials are mainly Afrikaaners. Just last year, the UASA and Harmony Gold Mining Co. signed a groundbreaking agreement which in redefines the traditional Shiftboss / Supervisor role to that of a coach - aimed at creating an environment of safe production for the blasting crew. This not only will restructure the workplace for miners and other crewmembers, but it gives the workers more power and freedom when they feel the need for change in the workplace. It also mean a role change for shiftbosses which is big. The coach role is no longer a line function. This gives real meaning to the Mine Safety legislation's original intention of making the job of the Shiftboss/coach that of safety only. The coach will no longer be incentivised with a production-related bonus. This resolves the traditional dilemma of bonuses pulling production at the expense of safety. 2MSP The UASA also has been able to demand minimum wage for mine workers with the help from other unions such as National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), MWU-Solidarity. When it comes to their position on social plans for the mining industry, the UASA takes a more patriarchal stance on what the government’s role should be in labor. In 1998, proposals for the government to take on a watchdog role in down-sizings the gold mining industry were made and argued out. The NUM (which the UASA is highly allied with) has called on the government to play a much more active role by ensuring that the labor department is given legislative powers to instruct mining houses to ask permission regarding retrenchments affecting 10 percent or more of the work force. other measures relate to establishing a permanent statutory commission to manage down-scaling the industry. the south african chamber of mines hinted last week at a 15-point plan for the sustainable survival of the industry. the chamber, in a document submitted to the num, outlined a framework to "transform south africa's mineral resources into wealth to the benefit of all stock-holders". meanwhile, the united association of south africa, a federation of trade unions of the country's affiliate operating in the industry, said the only way to secure jobs was through a "meaningful and sincere commitment by all concerned with increasing productivity". 3MSP
The UASA’s main labor objectives are as stated: - To utilise its resources to improve members' conditions of employment, working conditions and standard of living. -The right of people to work and earn a living.
It’s recent initiatives launched in a 2001 conference are: - To launch of the "UASA Women's Desk / Vroueliga" - to enhance the image and participation of female members. -Launch of the "UASA Financial Services (Pty) Ltd" - the members' "One stop financial services shop" -Launch of the "UASA Social Plan" - the start of UASA's involvement in the local communities where its members situated; -Launch of a new Sector within UASA - the "Trade Unionists' Trade Union", caring for the staff of registered Trade Unions within, initially, the FEDUSA family. 4MSP
1 http://www.uasa.org.za/index2.html 2 “Harmony Restructures to Unlock Its People's Potential” All Africa News. October 2002. LEXIS-NEXIS (4/2/03) 3 Yegang, Liu. “South African gold industry faces crisis” Xinhua News Agency. 1998 LEXIS-NEXIS. (4/1/02) 4 http://www.uasa.org.za/index2.html
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