Back to: Introduction to the Labour Relations Act (LRA)
3.1 Organisational Rights
Welcome to Module 3 of our course on the Labour Relations Act, 1995. In this module, we will focus on the provisions related to collective bargaining, beginning with organisational rights.
Organisational rights are essential for enabling trade unions to effectively represent their members. Under the Labour Relations Act, a representative trade union, defined as a registered trade union that is sufficiently representative of the employees in a workplace, has several important rights.
Firstly, trade union representatives have the right to access the employer’s premises. This allows them to recruit members, communicate with members, and serve their interests. Trade union representatives are also entitled to hold meetings with employees outside their working hours on the employer’s premises. This access is crucial for maintaining communication between the trade union and its members.
Trade unions can also deduct subscriptions or levies from members’ wages. Any employee who is a member of a representative trade union may authorise their employer to deduct these amounts and remit them to the trade union. This process ensures that trade unions have the necessary financial resources to operate effectively.
Furthermore, members of a representative trade union have the right to vote at the employer’s premises in any election or ballot contemplated in the trade union’s constitution. These rights ensure that trade unions can function democratically and represent their members’ interests effectively.
The rights conferred by this section are subject to reasonable conditions to safeguard life or property and prevent undue disruption of work. These conditions ensure a balance between the operational needs of the employer and the rights of the trade union.