Can a construction boom create new sources of power for trade unions? a case study of the 2010 World Cup and its impact on the construction industry

摘要

AbstractudThere is general consensus that the reorganisation of production and labour processesudhave resulted in the diminishing of a collective voice at most workplaces. However, thereudis contested debate on the possibility of a revitalisation of a labour movement whoseudstructural power has been extensively undermined. This study examines potential for theudestablishment of new sources of power that may compensate for the weak trade unionudstructural power. The study uses the South Africa 2010 construction boom as a case studyudto explore the question. It adopts a qualitative research approach using interviews,udparticipant observation and document analysis. The study affirms earlier studies thatudsuggested potential of new sources of power and strategies to sustain associational andudsymbolic power which may compensate for weak structural power. However, the studyudnoted a lack of consciousness or reluctance on the part of the trade unions in adopting theudnew strategies. They instead ironically alienate self from the workers who constitute theudmajority. The study suggests that workers have potential to make use of both the old andudnew sources of power outside the trade unions but in other collective forms which may beudinformal. The use of this power is not only confined to workplace struggles but can beudused in other struggles outside the workplace. The potential of the new sources of powerudcannot however, be fully realised as long as the trade unions are oblivious of the workersudwho constitute the majority of the workforce.