Trust in trade unions dropping

South Africans are losing faith in trade unions, according to research quoted in a report on Tuesday.

 

 

Trust in trade unions among the public in general dropped from 43 percent in 2011 to 29 percent in 2012, reported Business Day newspaper, quoting a survey compiled by the Human Sciences Research Council.

 

Thirty-five percent of black South Africans said they distrusted trade unions in 2012, compared to 21 percent the previous year, while 53 percent of coloured South Africans said they distrusted unions in 2012, compared to 37 percent in 2011.

 

The poll was compiled in the wake of several wild-cat strikes last year.

 

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzina Vavi told Business Day: "Our own survey last year also revealed some very negative perceptions, for instance, about corruption in unions.

 

"This survey tells me one thing: improve."

 

- By Sapa