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INTRODUCTION

Solidarity is your partner, your older brother in the workplace, as it were – the one who has been protecting its members’ rights against exploitation in the workplace since 1902; the one who even creates job security for you as a professional individual.

Solidarity’s success lies in a total network of work. In short, a Solidarity NetWork. It comprises the various work-related institutions Solidarity has built over the past 20 years that are all linked so as to walk the entire journey of work with a member.

The strength of the NetWork lies in the fact that the NetWork’s various institutions and functions are mutually reinforcing. The sum total of the NetWork’s is therefore larger than its parts.

Solidarity currently offers a dependable service to approximately 140 000 members in all occupational fields, collectively and professionally, and has the passion and knowledge to look after its members’ interests and to ensure that their rights are protected in the workplace. The union has more than 20 offices countrywide and members are served by more than 300 staff members and 1 275 union representatives in thousands of companies.

Background

The Solidarity of today dates back to 22 June 1902 when the Transvaal Miners’ Association was founded. Solidarity therefore has more than 110 years’ experience in South Africa’s labour market.

In its 110 years the trade union underwent four major transformations. Many South Africans will be familiar with the Mineworkers’ Union, that is the MWU, which was the name the Transvaal Miners’ Association’s adopted in 1913. In 2001 the MWU changed to MWU-Solidarity and since 2002 the trade union has been known as Solidarity.

The trade union Solidarity finds himself within the Christian tradition of trade unionism, which believes that we should lead our members to self-reliance so that they are able to follow their calling.
Collective bargaining, job protection and the improvement of service conditions is the core business of the trade union. Solidarity strives for a safe and healthy workplace for its members.
Solidarity is bound to South Africa and wants to create a future for its members. We believe South Africa is a country for everyone who lives in it. Solidarity is committed to the South African Constitution and will actively act on the rights that the Constitution gave to its members.
The trade union does not commit itself to any political party. We talk to everyone but we do not commit to anyone.
Solidarity believes in true democracy in which minority rights are recognized and protected. The trade union fights actively but not exclusively for the rights of minorities in the country and specifically for those excluded from government’s affirmative action programs.
Solidarity believes that imbalances should be corrected without creating new forms of imbalance. The way in which affirmative action is currently being implemented creates serious new forms of discrimination. The ideology of representation causes that the masses aren’t favoured and the white race are seriously disadvantaged. Solidarity acts on behalf of people who are unfairly disadvantaged by affirmative action.
Solidarity has a historically close connection with the Afrikaner community and still does. The organisation’s language medium is Afrikaans, however the trade union is inclusive and also tries to communicate in English with its members as far as practically possible.
Solidarity supports an economic order of free competition. The South African economic policy should be based on a free market economy where there exists a balance between the various role players in the economy.
Solidarity believes to empower its members so that they can be independent. The trade union is active on the terrains of training, work placing and retirement provision. The trade union believes in mobilising the capital of its members, and to create independent institutions out of which members can have their rights realised.

LABOUR SERVICES

The trade union Solidarity’s main function is to protect its members in the work place. Solidarity does this through its labour services department who protects thousands of collective and individual members in many different industries across the country. Read more

INDUSTRIES IN SOLIDARITY

Solidarity organizes collectively in various South African industries which includes Mining, Metal and Engineering, Agriculture, Aviation, Chemical and University Affairs. The trade union also represents individual members working in different workplaces across the country. Read more

SOLIDARITY LEGAL SERVICES

Solidarity’s legal department is not only the biggest legal department in all the South African trade unions, but it also counts under the biggest labour law practice in South Africa. Read more

SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT

Solidarity believes that institutions should be created through which its members and their communities can live. The trade union Solidarity is still the locomotive of the Movement but various other institutions makes us a strong train.

The following institutions form part of the Solidarity Movement:

Solidarity

The Solidarity of today comes a long way, its history dating back to 22 June 1902 when the Transvaal Miners’ Association was established. With its 110 years of experience in the labour market Solidarity is even older than the ruling party, the ANC.

AfriForum

Make your voice heard ...
AfriForum is a modern civil rights organisation that is there to protect the rights and interests of the country’s citizens on a daily basis. AfriForum sees to it that the rights of its members and their communities are exercised by making use of its community structures and relevant legislation.

Helpende Hand

Solidarity Helping Hand, an independent Section 21 Company, is Solidarity’s community initiative that is pursuing the upliftment of the community. Solidarity Helping Hand believes that the best way of uplifting the community lies in training.

Sol-Tech

Sol-Tech provides training for artisans. This institution is registered as a further education and training institute and is registered with the relevant Setas. Sol-Tech focuses on offering training in rare and critical skills.

SBM

SBM, Solidarity’s investment company, manages Solidarity’s business division and is wholly owned by the trade union. The purpose of SBM is to offer additional services to members and to create capital to improve our member services.

Akademia

Akademia is a brand new private Afrikaans tertiary training institution with various professional qualifications as part of its distance learning offer. Akademia is pioneering modern education – and studying through Akademia costs between 30% and 50% cheaper than at other tertiary institutions.

FAK

The Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Societies (the FAK) is the oldest cultural umbrella organisation and is a leader of cultural associations. The FAK does not only act as coordinator of cultural organisations but is also home for the entire Afrikaans community, giving them a sense of unity and of belonging.

Kraal Uitgewers

Kraal Uitgewers is a specialised publisher focusing mainly on publishing high quality books on the history of South Africa. Kraal also publishes books that come with a new take on history and ones that take a stand on topical issues in South Africa.

Maroela Media

Maroela Media is an Afrikaans one-stop internet hub keeping visitors posted about what is happening in the world – and specifically in the world of Afrikaans. Here you will also get a glimpse of the thoughts of and discussions among Afrikaans-speaking opinion formers.

S-Leer

S-Leer is a quality Afrikaans training centre and part of the Solidarity Movement. It empowers professionals by means of CPD (continued professional development) points and through personal development seminars that will enable them to achieve their career goals.
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