20th century – 20th century
South Africa
A wave of strikes beginning in Durban in early 1973 expanded into repeated confrontations in South African mines. Between September 1973 and September 1977, approximately 200 miners were killed and more than 1,300 injured in about 78 incidents. Wage grievances, inadequate communication structures, and the migrant labour system contributed to the unrest, whose frequency and scale helped force employers and the government to reconsider industrial relations.
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The Story
The labour movement in South Africa had been relatively quiet through much of the 1960s after the Suppression of Communism Act was used to ban large numbers of trade-union leaders. Early in 1973, however, a wave of strikes began in Durban and spread across the country. The strikes raised wages and prompted an unprecedented degree of employer self-examination, signalling a new phase in Black workers’ industrial mobilisation.
The most serious confrontations affected the mining industry. From September 1973 to September 1977, around 200 men were killed and more than 1,300 injured in approximately 78 incidents at mines throughout the country. Wage grievances, poor communication between workers and employers, and the migrant labour system all contributed to the disturbances. Earlier mine conflicts had existed, but the new pattern was distinguished by its frequency, intensity, and the large numbers of miners involved.
The government responded with legislation in 1973 that made limited provision for communication between workers and employers. State-sponsored liaison committees were criticised by trade unionists because employers retained effective power, while worker-only works committees allowed only restricted bargaining and isolated workers from the wider trade-union movement. Despite harassment of organisers, sometimes including threats to their lives, the labour movement continued to grow during the first half of the 1970s.
20th century – 20th century
South Africa
A wave of strikes beginning in Durban in early 1973 expanded into repeated confrontations in South African mines. Between September 1973 and September 1977, approximately 200 miners were killed and more than 1,300 injured in about 78 incidents. Wage grievances, inadequate communication structures, and the migrant labour system contributed to the unrest, whose frequency and scale helped force employers and the government to reconsider industrial relations.
Continue exploring
The Story
The labour movement in South Africa had been relatively quiet through much of the 1960s after the Suppression of Communism Act was used to ban large numbers of trade-union leaders. Early in 1973, however, a wave of strikes began in Durban and spread across the country. The strikes raised wages and prompted an unprecedented degree of employer self-examination, signalling a new phase in Black workers’ industrial mobilisation.
The most serious confrontations affected the mining industry. From September 1973 to September 1977, around 200 men were killed and more than 1,300 injured in approximately 78 incidents at mines throughout the country. Wage grievances, poor communication between workers and employers, and the migrant labour system all contributed to the disturbances. Earlier mine conflicts had existed, but the new pattern was distinguished by its frequency, intensity, and the large numbers of miners involved.
The government responded with legislation in 1973 that made limited provision for communication between workers and employers. State-sponsored liaison committees were criticised by trade unionists because employers retained effective power, while worker-only works committees allowed only restricted bargaining and isolated workers from the wider trade-union movement. Despite harassment of organisers, sometimes including threats to their lives, the labour movement continued to grow during the first half of the 1970s.
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