Trade Union Organizing and the Rise of COSATU (1973–1986)

1. Durban strike wave sparks new worker organizing

   Jan 9, 1973Labels: Durban strikes, African workers

   • SAHO Durban Strikes
   • Wikipedia

2. TUACC coalesces to coordinate new unions

   Jan 1, 1974Labels: TUACC, factory unions

   • Wikipedia

3. FOSATU launched to unify independent unions

   Apr 20, 1979Labels: FOSATU, founding congress

   • Wikipedia

4. Wiehahn Commission interim report tabled

   May 1, 1979Labels: Wiehahn Commission, Parliament

   • SAHO Wiehahn

5. CUSA formed as Black-consciousness-aligned federation

   Sep 14, 1980Labels: CUSA, Black Consciousness

   • SAHO CUSA
   • Wikipedia

6. NUM founded to organize mineworkers nationally

   Dec 4, 1982Labels: NUM, mineworkers

   • NUM statement

7. UDF launched, linking civic and worker struggles

   Aug 20, 1983Labels: UDF, Mitchell's Plain

   • SAHO UDF
   • UDF site

8. Vaal stayaway and rent protests ignite township uprising

   Sep 3, 1984Labels: Vaal stayaway, township uprising

   • Wikipedia
   • SAHO archive

9. Unity talks culminate in COSATU founding congress

   Dec 1, 1985Labels: COSATU, founding congress

   • Wikipedia
   • COSATU guide

10. COSATU consolidates as leading federation

    Dec 3, 1985Labels: COSATU, federation consolidation

    • COSATU guide
    • Wikipedia

11. State of Emergency crackdown targets COSATU unions

    Jun 28, 1986Labels: State of, COSATU unions

    • Washington Post
    • COSATU chronology

12. NACTU formed, reshaping organized labor landscape

    Oct 5, 1986Labels: NACTU, CUSA merger

    • Wikipedia
    • SAHO CUSA