Bargaining Benchmarks | March 2023
Benchmarks to help union negotiators enter negotiations as informed players.
Category: Resources
Wage Bargaining Review | 2023
The Wage Bargaining Review helps the trade union negotiator to track and compare the unions’ performance against set bargaining benchmarks. View the collective bargaining outcomes across industries for 2021 and 2022 and compare wage settlements in selected unions.
Inflation Monitor | January 2023
The average annual consumer price (CPI) fell to 6.9% in January 2023, with food inflation at its highest level in 14 years.
[PDF] Power Up Nutrition Series | Proteins
The Power Up Nutrition Series comprises a set of eBooks exploring the links between food and nutrition. The eBooks can assist school communities and trade union activists looking to promote and support healthy nutrition and Volunteer Food Handlers in the National School Nutrition Programme.
MNC Trends Report | 2022
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinationals: A review of revenue, profits and executive pay for JSE-listed companies operating in 12 sectors.
Inflation Monitor | December 2022
Our simplified version of inflation data in South Africa supports trade union bargaining.
Retail | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the retail sector.
Banking and financial services | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the banking and financial services sector
Construction | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the construction sector.
Diversified Sector | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the diversified sector.
Food and beverage | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the food and beverage sector.
Health | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the health sector.
Hospitality | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the hospitality sector.
Industrial | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the industrial sector.
Mining | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the mining sector.
Paper and packaging | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the paper and packaging sector.
Technology and Telecommunications | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the technology and telecommunications sector.
Transportation | 2022 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the transportation sector.
Inflation Monitor | November 2022
The annual inflation rate decreased to 7.4% in November 2022 from 7.6% in October 2022.
Bargaining Benchmarks | December 2022
A resource for trade union negotiators in South Africa.
Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace
The Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace forms part of the Employment Equity Act (EEA). The EEA is relevant to the implementation of South Africa’s obligations to ILO Convention 190 (C190).
Inflation Monitor | October 2022
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 7.6% in October 2022 from 7.5% in September 2022.
[PDF] Power Up Nutrition Series | Salt – A thin line between the good and the bad
The Power Up Nutrition Series comprises a set of eBooks exploring the links between food and nutrition. The eBooks can assist school communities looking to promote and support healthy nutrition and Volunteer Food Handlers in the National School Nutrition Programme.
Mini Guide to ILO’s C190 and R206
ILO Convention 190 (C190) and the accompanying Recommendation No. 206 (R206) provide a common framework for ending discrimination, violence and harassment in the world of work.
Bargaining Benchmarks | October 2022
Five benchmarks to help trade union negotiators enter bargaining processes as informed role players.
[PDF] Power Up Nutrition Series | Sugar – A sweet poison
The Power Up Nutrition Series comprises a set of eBooks exploring the links between food and nutrition. The eBooks can assist school communities looking to promote and support healthy nutrition and Volunteer Food Handlers in the National School Nutrition Programme.
[PDF] Volunteer Food Handlers: The hands and feet of the National School Nutrition Programme
The work of feeding millions of learners must be seen as work deserving of recognition, value and appropriate working conditions and salary.
Inflation Monitor | September 2022
The headline annual inflation rate decreased to 7.5% in September 2022 from 7.6% in August 2022.
Inflation Monitor | August 2022
The headline annual inflation rate decreased to 7.6% in August 2022 from 7.8% in July
2022.
A trade union guide to ILO Convention 190 and Recommendation 206
Convention 190 and Recommendation No. 206 provide a common framework to stop violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. This ITUC guide offers workers and their representatives a basic introduction to the ILO instruments.
Inflation Monitor | July 2022
Annual consumer inflation increased to 7.8% in July 2022 from 7.4% in June. Transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and housing and utilities continue to place considerable pressure on the annual rate. Bread and cereals, oils and fats, fuel and electricity contributed notably to the reading in July.
Inflation Monitor | June 2022
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 7.4% in June 2022 from 6.5% in May 2022.
Healthcare workers at risk in a society that does not value the work of caring
Lessons from a pilot social action initiative to reduce violence in a health institution in Gauteng.
Bargaining Benchmarks | July 2022
LRS Bargaining Benchmarks is for trade union negotiators. Our series of benchmarks will help the negotiator to enter into bargaining as an informed role player.
LRS snapshot: Industry wage settlements | Q1 2022
The mining and quarry sector recorded the highest percentage increase on actual wages in Q1 of 2022, at 8%. View our snapshot of wage settlements in selected sectors of South Africa’s economy.
Inflation Monitor | May 2022
The consumer price index accelerated to 6.5% in May 2022, from 5.9% in April.
Introducing The Negotiators’ Guide to working class leaders
Webinar presentation by Trenton Elsely, Executive Director of Labour Research Service. Get your copy.
Trade Unions Going Green – Environmental issues in the world of work
Trade Unions Going Green booklet seeks to encourage unions to initiate campaigns to address environmental issues in the workplace. The booklet will help to put unions in a position to engage in dialogue for sustainable development policies, while representing the interests and needs of workers.
Inflation Monitor | April 2022
The Consumer Price Index remained at 5.9% in April 2022, unchanged from March.
The Real Economy Bulletin | Q4_2021
Produced by Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), this edition of The Real Economy Bulletin provides trends and data for GDP growth; employment; international trade; investment; FDI projects; and insights on the impact of the Ukraine war on South Africa’s economy and how to foster inclusive use of electric vehicles.
Inflation Monitor | March 2022
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 5.9% in March 2022, from 5.7% in February 2022. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.0% month-on-month in March 2022.
Wage bargaining review | 2021
This report describes wage outcomes in 2021 found in collective agreements collected by the Labour Research Service. The report aims to inform strategy development in trade unions.
Inflation Monitor | February 2022
Annual consumer inflation held steady at 5. 7% in February 2022, unchanged from January. But food and transport prices put upward pressure on the monthly rate, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the goods increasing by 0.6% between January and February.
Inflation Monitor | January 2022
The Consumer Price Index eased to 5.7% in January of 2022, from a near five-year high of 5.9% in December. Prices slowed for transport and health but rose faster for food, housing and utilities.
MNC Trends Report | 2021
The MNC Trends Report of the Labour Research Service provides information on the performance, operations and governance of 81 JSE-listed South African multinational companies. Trade unions use the information to improve their strategies for bargaining, alliance building and campaigns.
The LRS Negotiator’s Guide – A guide to organising in a changing workplace
This guide is for negotiators looking to renew their strategy and approach in the face of the ongoing reorganization of work, retrenchments and restructuring, and the increasing precariousness of being a worker.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 1 | An introduction to negotiations
The collective bargaining process comprises four main parts: Preparation, negotiation, agreement and implementation. Here are the steps to follow in each part of the process.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 2 | Recruitment and organising
Recruitment and organising are two key processes in collective bargaining. Let’s recollect the differences between a worker that has been recruited and a worker that is organised through describing what each of these workers are thinking about, what feelings they might experience and how they might act.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 3 | Solidarity and coalitions
Eight ideas for building solidarity in and through coalitions to further collective bargaining in your organisation.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 4 | Using the law to support bargaining strategies
16 common workplace challenges and the labour laws that could help you deal with the situations.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 5 | A framework for negotiating conditions at work
A way to think about conditions at work in relation to the collective agreement, and the benchmarks in South Africa’s labour law to help you establish a floor of minimum conditions. A must-read for worker leaders in more informal workplaces that are looking to establish minimum standards.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 6 | An introduction to wage bargaining
An in-depth guide that shows you how to build a wage, the different approaches to dealing with inflation, simple formulas for calculating percentages and money amounts, and how to communicate with workers.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 7 | Bargaining for gender equity
Collective bargaining is an important tool for addressing structural gender inequities in the trade union and workplace. Here are the important terms to know, specific bargaining demands for gender equity and a guide to the bargaining process.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 8 | Workplace rights belong to everyone
Know the words and terms to use when talking about equality, the legislation protecting workers from discrimination and how to support and protect LGBT members of the union.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 9 | Negotiating restructuring and retrenchment
Guidance on developing practical strategies for saving jobs at companies. Know how to: Identify the company in distress, decide on the most important interventions and minimise the impact of retrenchments when they are unavoidable.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 10 | Trade Unions organising and bargaining in value chains
An introduction to the concept of value chains and value chain mapping to connect with workers that informalisation might have hidden from view.
The Negotiator’s Guide Chapter 11 | Negotiating the future of work
Trade union strategies to shape and respond to the Future of Work and automation.
Transportation | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the construction sector.
Technology and Telecommunications | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the technology and telecommunication sector.
Paper and packaging | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the paper and packaging sector.
Mining | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the mining sector.
Industrial | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the industrial sector.
Hospitality | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the hospitality sector.
Health | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the health sector.
Food and beverage | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the food and beverage sector.
Diversified Sector | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the diversified sector.
Construction | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the construction sector.
Banking and financial services | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the banking and financial services sector.
Inflation Monitor | December 2021
The annual consumer price inflation was 5.9% in December 2021, compared with 5.5% in November. It’s the highest recorded annual rate since March 2017, when it increased by 6.1%. Transport prices increased by a massive 16.8%, on the back of rising petrol and diesel prices.
Inflation Monitor | November 2021
The Consumer Price Index increased to 5.5% in November 2021, compared with 5% in October. That’s the biggest annual increase in almost 5 years. The transport category contributed the most to the inflation in November, recording an annual increase of 15%.
Trade Unions and Trade: A Guide to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement
Despite the complexities associated with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the risks for workers and communities within such large-scale trade liberalisation, trade unions lack a well-formulated policy position on the agreement. Trade Unions and Trade: A Guide to the African Continental Trade Agreement aims to assist unions in developing their policy positions and to engage with the AfCFTA processes with confidence.
Retail | 2021 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the retail sector.
Inflation Monitor | October 2021
The Consumer Price Index came out unchanged at 5% compared to September. Food and transport costs are the biggest contributors to the rate, with the transport index increasing by 10.9% in October 2021 compared with October 2020. And the SARB has raised its main lending rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%, meaning the prime lending rate of commercial banks will increase to 7.25%.
Inflation Monitor | September 2021
The headline inflation rose to 5% in September 2021 from 4.9% in August 2021. Food inflation is 7%, electricity 14%, and fuel almost 20%, with a large petrol price increase expected in November.
Decent Standard of Living Colloquium Report | 2021
This report is the outcome of our 2021 DSL Colloquium, which presented an updated list of Socially Perceived Necessities (SPNs). The SPNs illustrate what South Africans consider essential living conditions and/or possessions needed to live a decent life.
Inflation Monitor | August 2021
The term inflation means a sustained increase in the general level of prices of goods and services. The headline annual inflation rate increased to 4.9% in August 2021 from 4.6% in July 2021.
Inflation Monitor | July 2021
The headline annual inflation rate declined to 4.6% in July 2021 from 4.9% in June 2021.
Inflation Monitor | June 2021
The headline annual inflation rate was 4.9% in June 2021, compared with 5.2% in May 2021.
Gender equity and social dialogue | Facilitation exercise
Outcome: Strengthen our understanding of social dialogue in creating gender equity.
Women contributing to the economy | Facilitation exercise
Women feel more confident in participating in political economy discussions.
Bargaining with a gender equity lens | Facilitation exercise
Outcome: Strengthening our understanding and confidence in bargaining with a gender equity lens.
Trade unions and the struggle for gender justice | Facilitation exercise
Outcome: Reflection on our organisational policies and practices in relation to creating a gender-equitable trade union.
Women trade union leadership | Facilitation excercise
Outcome: Participants feel comfortable, supported and confident in participating in the workshop.
Inflation Monitor | MAY 2021
The headline inflation rate in May 2021 accelerated to 5.2 % year on year. The prices of food, transport, public transport and administered prices continue to drive inflation. Remember that inflation statistics refer to the past twelve months, while wage increases refer to the months to come.
Winning Strikes – A guide to strike action
Produced by Workers’ World Media Productions, this booklet is the complete guide to winning strikes. You’ll learn the strike laws and rights, tactics for strike organisers and anticipating the responses of bosses.
Bargaining with South African multinational companies – Shoprite Checkers
INFOGRAPHIC: A quick recap of Shoprite’s finances 2020 and going into 2021.
LRS collective bargaining input for 2021
Our trade union collective bargaining strategy input for 2021 looks at the minimum wage and settlement trends; the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and collective bargaining; the 2021 bargaining round; and bargaining for the future.
Worker rights: Wages and conditions of employment
A guide to finding out who is covered by bargaining council agreements, sectoral determinations and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Inflation Monitor | April 2021
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 4.4% in April 2021 from 3.2% in March 2021. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.7% month-on-month in April 2021.
Inflation Monitor | March 2021
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 3.2% in March 2021 from 2.9% in February 2021.
Bargaining Benchmarks – Directors’ Fees Edition
How do remuneration structures within companies exacerbate income inequalities? Our latest Directors’ Fees Report delves into the remuneration of directors in 78 South African Multinational Corporations and exposes the astronomical gap between the pay of bosses and their workers.
Inflation Monitor | February 2021
The headline inflation rate slowed to 2.9% in February 2021 from 3.2% in January 2021.
Bargaining Benchmarks | March 2021
Bargaining Benchmarks is a resource for role players in collective bargaining in South Africa.
Inflation Monitor | January 2021
The headline annual inflation rate increased to 3.2% in January 2021 from 3.1% in December 2020. Food price slowed to 5.6%.
Transport | 2020 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the transport sector.
Construction | 2020 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the construction sector.
Retail | 2020 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the retail sector.
Food and Beverage | 2020 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the food and beverage sector.
Banking and financial services | 2020 Sector Report
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Revenue, profit and directors’ remuneration for the banking and financial services sector.
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