An Examination of the Need to Introduce a Strike Fund to Compensate Victims of “No Work, No Pay” during a Protracted Strike—Transplanting Lessons from other Jurisdictions to South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/14130Keywords:
workers, strike, strike fund, strike pay, no work, no payAbstract
The “no work, no pay” rule during long strikes negatively affects striking workers and negatively affects the negotiation process as workers feel compelled to agree to offers that may sometimes be unfavourable to them. They do this because they fear losing wages as a result of the “no work, no pay” rule that employers normally resort to when workers are on strike. Employers use the “no work, no pay” rule to inflict economic harm on striking workers. Employers try to indirectly force workers to accept their offer prematurely, which affects the fairness of the negotiation process. To address the negative effects of protracted strikes and the “no work, no pay” rule, this article proposes that a policy on the creation of a strike fund should be adopted in South Africa to compel unions to include a provision regulating the fund and a strike pay in their constitutions. The strike fund should provide union members with financial assistance for the lost wages while participating in long strikes. The union constitution must state and clarify the eligibility criteria should members want to claim from the fund. It must also state whether there should be a waiting period before members can lodge their claims.
References
Bradfield, G. B. 2018. Christie’s Law of Contract in South Africa. 7th ed. Durban: LexisNexis.
Chaskalson A 1997. “A Speech at the University of Toronto”, Toronto.
Collins, H. 1986. “Market Power, Bureaucratic Power, and the Contract of Employment.” Industrial Law Journal 15 (1): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/ilj/15.1.1
Davies, P., and P. Francis. 2011. “Preparing Criminological Research.” In Doing Criminological Research, edited by P. Davies, P. Francis and V. Jupp. 2nd ed. London: Sage.
Du Toit, D., S. Godfrey, C. Cooper, G. Giles, T. Cohen, B. Conradie and A. Steenkamp. 2015. Labour Relations Law: A Comprehensive Guide. Durban: LexisNexis.
Dugard, J. 2005. International Law: A South African Perspective. 3rd ed. Cape Town: Juta.
Fergus, E. 2016 “Reflections on the (Dys)functionality of Strikes to Collective Bargaining: Recent Developments.” Industrial Law Journal 37: 1537–1551.
Grogan, J, 2017. Workplace Law. Cape Town: Juta.
Hawthorn, L., Maxwell, C. and De Stadler, E. 2018. The Law of Contract in South Africa. Oxford University Press.
Hogg, P.W. 1998. “Canadian Law in the Constitutional Court of South Africa.” Southern African Public Law, 13 (1): 1–16.
Hollis, C. 1968. The Jesuits: A History. New York: Macmillan.
Ispizua, N. 2019 “Affiliacion y caja de resistetncial.” Landeia 232.
Landman, A, 1992 “Partial Pay for Partial Work”. CLL 1 (9): 96–102.
Las Heras, J. and Lluis Rodriguez. 2020. “Striking to Renew: Basque Unions’ Organising Strategies and use of the Strike Fund.” British Industrial Relations 669.
Legal, A.L. 2007. “Argumentation Based on Foreign Law: An Example from Case Law of the South African Constitutional Court.” Utrecht Law Review (3): 60 https://doi.org/10.18352/ulr.37
Payi, B. 2019. “Damning Report Exposes Financial Irregularities at SAMWU.” https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/damning-report-exposes-financial-irregularities-at-samwu-23544635
Reinecke, M.F.B. 2016 “Die Aard en Indeling van Kontrakbreuk”. Stellenbosch Law Review 27 (2): 309.
Ross, K.R. 2004. “Some Worrisome Trends: The Voice of the Churches in Malawi’s Third Term Debate.” African Affairs 103 (410): 66. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adh001
Rycroft, A. 2012. “Can a Protected Strike Lose its Protected Status.” Industrial Law Journal 33: 821.
Tenza, M. 2021. “Investigating the Need to Introduce Compulsory Interest Arbitration as a Method of Preventing Lengthy Strikes in South Africa.” SA Mercantile Law Journal 33(2). https://doi.org/10.47348/SAMLJ/v33/i2a2
Tenza, M. 2021. “Investigating the possibility of dismissing an employee on account of breach of Covid-19 Regulations.” Journal of Law, Society, and Development 1–23. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/10601
Cases
BK Tooling (Edms) Bpk v Scope Precision Engineering (Edms) Bpk 1979 (1) SA 391 (A) 417.
Bensons v SA Mutual Life Assurance Society [1986] 2 All SA 30.
Botha v Rich NO 2014 (7) BCLR 741.
Cohen v Shires, McHattie and King (1882) 1 K 41.
Coin Security (Cape) v Vukani Guards & Allied Workers Union (1989) 10 ILJ 239 (C).
Edrei Investments 9 Ltd (in liquidation) v Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Ltd 2012 (2) SA 533 (ECP).
Farmers’ Co-op Society (Rf) v Berry 1912 A 343.
Hauman v Mortje 1914 AD 312.
Haynes v Kingwilliamstown Municipality [1951] 2 All SA 371 (A).
MACSTEEL Service Centre SA (Pty) Ltd v NUMSA and Others (2020) 41 ILJ 2670 (LC).
Malan v Van der Merwe 1937 TPD 244.
Matshazi v Mezepoli Melrose Arch (Pty) Ltd and Another; Nyoni v Mezepoli Nicolway (Pty) Ltd & Another; Moto v Plaka Eastgate Restaurant & Another; Mohsen & Another v Brand Kitchen Hospitality (Pty) Ltd & Another (2021) 42 ILJ 600 (GJ).
Miles v Wakefiled Metropolitan District Council [1987] IRIR 193.
MV Snow Crystal Transnet Ltd t/a National Ports Authority v Owner of MV Snow Crystal 2008 (4) SA 111 (SCA).
National Union of Textile Workers v Jaguar Shoes (Pty) Ltd 1978 (1) SA 39 (N).
National Union of Textile Workers v Jaguar Shoes (Pty) Ltd 1983 (1) SA 694 (AD) 699.
Netherlands v United States 2 RIAA 829 (1928).
NUM & others v Driefontein Consolidated Ltd (1984) 5 ILJ 101 (IC).
NUMSA v Vetsak Co-operative Ltd & Others (1996) 17 ILJ 455 (A). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0389-4304(96)80691-6
PSA v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development [2001] 12 BLLR 1250 (LC).
R v Milne and Erliegh (7) [1951] 2 All SA 113.
S v Makwanyane [1995] 6 BCLR 694 (CC).
SAMWU v City of Cape Town (2010) 31 ILJ 724 (LC)
Secretary of State for Employment v ASLEF No 2 [1972] 2 QB 455.
Shabalala v The Attorney-General of Tvl [1995] 12 BCLR 1593.
Shakinovsky v Lawson and Smulowitz 1904 TS 326.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0389-4304(96)80691-6
Shill v Milner 1937 AD 101.
Solidarity & Another v Public Health & Welfare Sectoral Bargaining Council & Others (2014) 35 ILJ 2105 (SCA).
Stacy v Sims 1917 CPD 533.
Tamarillo (Pty) Ltd v BN Aitken (Pty) Ltd [1982] 1 All SA 191.
Thompson v Pullinger (1894) 1 OR.
Unibank Savings & Loan Ltd (formerly Community Bank) v ABSA Bank Ltd 2000 (4) SA 191 (W).
Unlocked Properties 4 (Pty) Ltd v Commercial Properties 28549/2015 [2016] ZAGP JHC 373.
Valasek v Consolidated Frame Cotton Corporation Ltd 1983 (1) SA 694 (N)
Van Rensburg v Straughan 1914 AD 293.
Wiluszynski v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [1989] IRIR 259.
Woods v Walters 1912 AD 303.
3M SA (Pty) Ltd v SACCAWU JA22/ [2001] ZALAC.
Ally v Courtesy Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd 1996 (3) SA 134 (N).
AMCU v Sibanye Gold Limited t/a Sibanye Stillwater & Others (2019) 40 ILJ 1607 (LC).
Barkhuizen v Napier 2007 (5) SA 323 (CC).
Legislation
Constitution of Spain, 1978.
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Decree of Labour Relations, 1977.
ESK. 2019. Reglamento de “ESKreen Elkartsun Fonda”.
Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
Chaskalson A 1997. “A Speech at the University of Toronto”, Toronto.
Collins, H. 1986. “Market Power, Bureaucratic Power, and the Contract of Employment.” Industrial Law Journal 15 (1): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/ilj/15.1.1
Davies, P., and P. Francis. 2011. “Preparing Criminological Research.” In Doing Criminological Research, edited by P. Davies, P. Francis and V. Jupp. 2nd ed. London: Sage.
Du Toit, D., S. Godfrey, C. Cooper, G. Giles, T. Cohen, B. Conradie and A. Steenkamp. 2015. Labour Relations Law: A Comprehensive Guide. Durban: LexisNexis.
Dugard, J. 2005. International Law: A South African Perspective. 3rd ed. Cape Town: Juta.
Fergus, E. 2016 “Reflections on the (Dys)functionality of Strikes to Collective Bargaining: Recent Developments.” Industrial Law Journal 37: 1537–1551.
Grogan, J, 2017. Workplace Law. Cape Town: Juta.
Hawthorn, L., Maxwell, C. and De Stadler, E. 2018. The Law of Contract in South Africa. Oxford University Press.
Hogg, P.W. 1998. “Canadian Law in the Constitutional Court of South Africa.” Southern African Public Law, 13 (1): 1–16.
Hollis, C. 1968. The Jesuits: A History. New York: Macmillan.
Ispizua, N. 2019 “Affiliacion y caja de resistetncial.” Landeia 232.
Landman, A, 1992 “Partial Pay for Partial Work”. CLL 1 (9): 96–102.
Las Heras, J. and Lluis Rodriguez. 2020. “Striking to Renew: Basque Unions’ Organising Strategies and use of the Strike Fund.” British Industrial Relations 669.
Legal, A.L. 2007. “Argumentation Based on Foreign Law: An Example from Case Law of the South African Constitutional Court.” Utrecht Law Review (3): 60 https://doi.org/10.18352/ulr.37
Payi, B. 2019. “Damning Report Exposes Financial Irregularities at SAMWU.” https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/damning-report-exposes-financial-irregularities-at-samwu-23544635
Reinecke, M.F.B. 2016 “Die Aard en Indeling van Kontrakbreuk”. Stellenbosch Law Review 27 (2): 309.
Ross, K.R. 2004. “Some Worrisome Trends: The Voice of the Churches in Malawi’s Third Term Debate.” African Affairs 103 (410): 66. https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adh001
Rycroft, A. 2012. “Can a Protected Strike Lose its Protected Status.” Industrial Law Journal 33: 821.
Tenza, M. 2021. “Investigating the Need to Introduce Compulsory Interest Arbitration as a Method of Preventing Lengthy Strikes in South Africa.” SA Mercantile Law Journal 33(2). https://doi.org/10.47348/SAMLJ/v33/i2a2
Tenza, M. 2021. “Investigating the possibility of dismissing an employee on account of breach of Covid-19 Regulations.” Journal of Law, Society, and Development 1–23. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/10601
Cases
BK Tooling (Edms) Bpk v Scope Precision Engineering (Edms) Bpk 1979 (1) SA 391 (A) 417.
Bensons v SA Mutual Life Assurance Society [1986] 2 All SA 30.
Botha v Rich NO 2014 (7) BCLR 741.
Cohen v Shires, McHattie and King (1882) 1 K 41.
Coin Security (Cape) v Vukani Guards & Allied Workers Union (1989) 10 ILJ 239 (C).
Edrei Investments 9 Ltd (in liquidation) v Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Ltd 2012 (2) SA 533 (ECP).
Farmers’ Co-op Society (Rf) v Berry 1912 A 343.
Hauman v Mortje 1914 AD 312.
Haynes v Kingwilliamstown Municipality [1951] 2 All SA 371 (A).
MACSTEEL Service Centre SA (Pty) Ltd v NUMSA and Others (2020) 41 ILJ 2670 (LC).
Malan v Van der Merwe 1937 TPD 244.
Matshazi v Mezepoli Melrose Arch (Pty) Ltd and Another; Nyoni v Mezepoli Nicolway (Pty) Ltd & Another; Moto v Plaka Eastgate Restaurant & Another; Mohsen & Another v Brand Kitchen Hospitality (Pty) Ltd & Another (2021) 42 ILJ 600 (GJ).
Miles v Wakefiled Metropolitan District Council [1987] IRIR 193.
MV Snow Crystal Transnet Ltd t/a National Ports Authority v Owner of MV Snow Crystal 2008 (4) SA 111 (SCA).
National Union of Textile Workers v Jaguar Shoes (Pty) Ltd 1978 (1) SA 39 (N).
National Union of Textile Workers v Jaguar Shoes (Pty) Ltd 1983 (1) SA 694 (AD) 699.
Netherlands v United States 2 RIAA 829 (1928).
NUM & others v Driefontein Consolidated Ltd (1984) 5 ILJ 101 (IC).
NUMSA v Vetsak Co-operative Ltd & Others (1996) 17 ILJ 455 (A). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0389-4304(96)80691-6
PSA v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development [2001] 12 BLLR 1250 (LC).
R v Milne and Erliegh (7) [1951] 2 All SA 113.
S v Makwanyane [1995] 6 BCLR 694 (CC).
SAMWU v City of Cape Town (2010) 31 ILJ 724 (LC)
Secretary of State for Employment v ASLEF No 2 [1972] 2 QB 455.
Shabalala v The Attorney-General of Tvl [1995] 12 BCLR 1593.
Shakinovsky v Lawson and Smulowitz 1904 TS 326.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0389-4304(96)80691-6
Shill v Milner 1937 AD 101.
Solidarity & Another v Public Health & Welfare Sectoral Bargaining Council & Others (2014) 35 ILJ 2105 (SCA).
Stacy v Sims 1917 CPD 533.
Tamarillo (Pty) Ltd v BN Aitken (Pty) Ltd [1982] 1 All SA 191.
Thompson v Pullinger (1894) 1 OR.
Unibank Savings & Loan Ltd (formerly Community Bank) v ABSA Bank Ltd 2000 (4) SA 191 (W).
Unlocked Properties 4 (Pty) Ltd v Commercial Properties 28549/2015 [2016] ZAGP JHC 373.
Valasek v Consolidated Frame Cotton Corporation Ltd 1983 (1) SA 694 (N)
Van Rensburg v Straughan 1914 AD 293.
Wiluszynski v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [1989] IRIR 259.
Woods v Walters 1912 AD 303.
3M SA (Pty) Ltd v SACCAWU JA22/ [2001] ZALAC.
Ally v Courtesy Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd 1996 (3) SA 134 (N).
AMCU v Sibanye Gold Limited t/a Sibanye Stillwater & Others (2019) 40 ILJ 1607 (LC).
Barkhuizen v Napier 2007 (5) SA 323 (CC).
Legislation
Constitution of Spain, 1978.
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Decree of Labour Relations, 1977.
ESK. 2019. Reglamento de “ESKreen Elkartsun Fonda”.
Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
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Published
2024-10-23
How to Cite
Tenza, Mlungisi. 2024. “An Examination of the Need to Introduce a Strike Fund to Compensate Victims of ‘No Work, No Pay’ During a Protracted Strike—Transplanting Lessons from Other Jurisdictions to South Africa ”. Journal of Law, Society and Development 11 (October):19 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/14130.
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