Global Integration, New Technologies and the Work of South African Textile Designers

Bonnin, Debby

doi:10.1080/21528586.2013.802542

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…An examination of technology and its impact on work in the textile industry was conducted by Bonin (2013). The specific area on trade union responses to technical changes was later investigated by the author (Hlatshwayo, 2014) who focused on union responses in the very specific context of the ArcelorMittal Vanderbijlpark plant.…”

Section: Trade Union Responses To Technological Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Labour process studies tend to focus on general work reorganisation, including plant layout, skills training and deployment, technology, labour supply and working conditions Von Holdt, 2003;Masondo, 2010;Mashilo, 2010). While not trying to reduce all workplace changes to issues of technology, studying technological innovation as a specific area is important because of the rapid technological changes taking place in many workplaces (Bonin, 2013). …”

Section: Trade Union Responses To Technological Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technological Changes and Manufacturing Unions in South Africa: Failure to Formulate a Robust Response

Hlatshwayo

2017

GLJ

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Technological innovation has had far-reaching implications for labour and for the world of work generally. It has led to job losses, the creation of new jobs, the loss of some skilled positions and the creation of new ones, and an increase in the quality of products like steel. Literature that addresses union responses to technological innovation in production has tended to classify them as either reactive or proactive, with reactive responses predominating. This article examines how South African trade unions in the steel, automotive and chemical industries have responded to technological changes. Based on interviews and documentary analysis, it argues that the unions have adopted a rearguard approach, responding to technological changes only after management has already implemented them. Unions have tended to prioritise "politics from above" and traditional union issues such as wage negotiations. In addition, the current division within unions has contributed to their inability to improve their servicing of members, let alone organise precarious workers and engage with issues of technological innovation.

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Section: Trade Union Responses To Technological Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Trade Union Responses To Technological Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%