Labour relations in the education practice in the Republic of South Africa

Text in Afrikaans, summary in Afrikaans and EnglishDie navorsingsondersoek is toegespits op arbeidsverhoudinge in die opvoedingspraktyk van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika. Arbeidsregsterme is aan die lig gebring wat onderwysers sal moet ken. Enkele menseregte en daarvan afgeleide regte van onderwysers word bespreek. Die diensverhouding tussen die onderwyser en sy werkgewer met betrekking tot individuele en kollektiewe verhoudinge, word bespreek. Arbeidsverhoudinge is onlosmaaklik van die juridiese en daarom word na verskeie regsaspekte, soos die dienskontrak van openbare en onafhanklike skole verwys. Raakpunte ten opsigte van wetgewing en hofsake voortspruitend daaruit, word aangedui. Implikasies van stakings deur onderwysers ingevolge arbeidswetgewing en hoe dit onderwysers se professionalisme raak, word deurgaans bespreek. Arbeidswetgewing reel die verhouding tussen werknemer en werkgewer. Wanneer die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding vertroebel word, kan geskille besleg word deur middele soos arbitrasie en versoening. Huidige onderwysvakbonde het verteenwoordiging op die Raad vir Arbeidsverhoudinge in die Onderwys (RAVO) wat op 'n kollektiewe basis namens onderwysers beding. Onderwysers by onafhanklike skole (privaatskole) kan egter individueel beter beding vir byvoorbeeld diensvoorwaardes. Verskeie sagte vakbonde en harde vakbonde bestaan vir die onderwys. Redes waarom onderwysers by vakbonde aansluit word aangedui. Daar is eerstens die behoefte aan 'n bestaanswaardige salaris om basiese behoeftes te bevredig; tweedens om die sekuriteit van reels en prosedures wat fisiese veiligheid in die werkplek bevorder, te kan ervaar; derdens om deur vakbondlidmaatskap 'n spreekbuis te he waardeur 'n gemeenskaplike gevoel van magteloosheid teenoor die oorheersing van bestuur en eienaarskap (van die staat of provinsiale owerheid) uitgedruk kan word. Vierdens is daar 'n behoefte aan betekenisvolle werk wat uitdagings en werkbevrediging bied. Vyfdens word 'n ondersteuningsl iggaam verlang in geskille wat kan ontstaan as gevolg van 'n behoefte aan werksekerheid, veral om waarborge teen arbitrere ontslag te verseker. Laastens kan die bevordering van politieke oogmerke moontlik deur 'n vakbond se voorspraak bereik word. Arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys verander voortdurend met nuwe wetgewing. Die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding moet deeglik geken word in die veranderende omstandighede in die Republiek van SuidAfrika ten opsigte van wetgewing en die bepaling van regte en verpligtinge van al die belanghebbende partye. Kennis van arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys sal hopelik tot beter begrip van arbeidsverhoudings in die onderwysstelsel lei.This research focused on labour relations in education practice in the Republic of South Africa. Legal terms concerning labour relations are brought to the attention of teachers. Some human rights and subsequent rights of teachers, as well as labour relations between teacher and employer, both individual and collective, are discussed. Labour relations are connected to laws, therefore various legal aspects such as the service contract of teachers employed at public and independent schools are discussed. Connections with existing laws and relevant lawsuits are discussed. Legal implications of strikes by teachers and the effect on their professionalism are dealt with throughout. Labour laws regulate the relations between employer and employee. When these relations are troubled, differences can be resolved by arbitration and reconciliation. Existing teacher unions are represented in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) that acts collectively on behalf of teachers. However, teachers at independent schools (private schools) are in a more favourable position to negotiate more easily for better conditions of service. Various "soft" and "hard" unions exist in education. Reasons for desiring membership of labour unions are given. Firstly, there is a need to negotiate a reasonable salary to provide for basic needs; secondly, to experience security of rules and procedures ensuring physical safety in the work-place; thirdly, through membership to have a voice to express a shared feeling of helplessness against the domination of governance and ownership (of the state or provincial governments). Fourthly, there is the need for meaningful, challenging and satisfying work. Fifthly, support is necessary in settling differences arising from a need to experience job-security and to counteract arbitrary dismissal. Lastly, political goals might be attainable through a voice provided by the unions. Labour relations in education change continually, subject to new laws. The employer-employee relation should be mastered in changing circumstances in the Republic of South Africa in accordance with new laws and degrees of the rights and responsibilities of all parties concerned. Knowledge of labour relations in education will hopefully ensure better professional relations in education generally.Educational StudiesD. Ed. (Philosophy of Education