Beyond the nature–labour divide: trade union responses to climate change in South Africa

Abstract

We present the life histories of two environmentally engaged unionists in South Africa, who were decisive for formulating the environmental programmes of their respective trade unions. Their experiences of participating in the resistance against apartheid in universities and factories taught them the necessity to connect different struggles and equipped them with the knowledge and ability to connect the fight for workers' rights with the fight against environmental degradation. Both activists experienced the difficulty of integrating 'the environment' politically and practically into a trade union agenda. The labour movement has traditionally experienced nature as a place outside of work to be enjoyed for recreation. While nature constitutes an indispensable condition for labour, it has been privately appropriated by Capital. For environmental policies to form an integral part of union agendas, nature needs to be wrestled away from its appropriation by Capital and understood as an inseparable ally of labour.

Labour's Hidden Soul: Religion at the Intersection of Labour and the Environment

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“…In his thesis, Smit [5] observed that a disproportionate percentage of university students (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) perceived environmental sustainability as not merely tree-hugging, but a desirable end to be pursued by all members of the society. Yet, as bemoaned by some commentators, there is a feeling of resentment and frustration among the young population as their access to formal channels of decision-making is curtailed by the state.…”

A green transition in South Africa? Sociotechnical experimentation in the Atlantis Special Economic Zone

“…As a result, there is no unifying environmental movement with a national platform (Death 2016). Major trade unions such as the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and COSATU have sought to develop progressive climate change policies but in parallel with protections for jobs in mining and manufacturing sectors that are associated with the entrenched production regime (Rathzel et al 2018).…”